Bristol care home residents spring into action with adorable visitors

Residents at a care home in Bristol were delighted to welcome spring with some special visitors.

Cracking on with preparations for Easter, residents at Care UK’s Trymview Hall, on Southmead Road, were delighted to welcome children from Lake House Day Nursery for a special animal therapy session.

Among the friendly farm animals making a surprise appearance was a donkey, two Shetland ponies, two pygmy goats, two rabbits, and two Guinea pigs. Everyone was given a chance to meet the gentle animals, all while learning more about them, including their personalities, favourite foods and how to look after them. 

For many residents having worked in farms or grown up around similar animals, the visit was also an opportunity to reminisce and share memories from their younger years with the children, as well as exchange their favourite seasonal spring traditions.

93-year-old resident, Betty, said: “It was lovely to see the children and to feed the rabbits and goats. The ponies were wonderful, and we all had such a laugh watching the children get to excited over the goats!”

Nicole Anderson, Home Manager at Trymview Hall, added: “Everyone here at Trymview Hall certainly had a spring in their step after welcoming the children and furry friends into the home. 

“Spending time with animals has been shown to have many therapeutic benefits for older people, particularly for those living with dementia, as it helps lower anxiety and creates relaxing endorphins. Sharing the experience with the children from Lake House Day Nursery was a wonderful opportunity for residents to reminisce and share stories from their own childhood – everyone had a really lovely time.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to Lake House Day Nursery for joining us for the special session, as well as to the team here at Trymview for such a wonderful afternoon – we can’t wait for our next animal encounter!”

Trymview Hall is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia and short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.