Making hiss-tory! Birmingham care home residents enjoy visit from all creatures great and small

A care home in Birmingham has welcomed some unusual guests for an afternoon of fun with residents. 

The team at Care UK’s Edgbaston Manor, on Speedwell Road, saw a variety of animals slither and wriggle onto the guest list to meet the residents for an afternoon of animal therapy. 

Residents were able to interact with the animals, which included a snake, stick insect, two pigs, two guinea pigs, a frog, two African snails, a bunny rabbit, frog, bearded dragon, tortoise and an owl  brought in by the team at Zoolab, which provides ethical animal encounters. 

As part of the session, residents were able to learn interesting facts about each of the animals, including their habitats and their favourite foods. Keen for the full animal encounter experience, residents weren’t rattled by handling the animals – including Sydney the snake. 

Commenting on the afternoon, 100-year-old Sylvia, resident at Edgbaston Manor said: “What a wonderful way to start the spring season. In all my years I never thought that I would like a reptile as much as the beautiful, bearded dragon. I am still not keen on the snake nor the guinea, even when my children had them as pets, I wasn’t keen, but Peppa was alright. 

“I can’t forget the tortoise, we have a lot in common, age, patience, wisdom and mobility!”

Zoe Stevenson, General Manager at Edgbaston Manor, said: “At Edgbaston Manor, we are always looking for new and exciting activities for residents to take part in, and the visit from some unique creatures was the perfect surprise.

"Interacting with animals can be incredibly beneficial for older people, instantly lifting their spirits and encouraging social interaction, especially for those living with dementia. The joy on the residents' faces as they spent time with the animals and learned about them was wonderful to see. It’s not every day they get to meet an owl in the lounge!

"I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the team for organising such a wonderful afternoon for everyone involved, and a special thanks to Zoolab for bringing the animals to Edgbaston Manor!"

Edgbaston Manor has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care; and it has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents. There is also plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.