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

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

The team at Care UK’s Smyth Lodge, on Frognal Avenue, saw a variety of animals crawl and slither into the home for an afternoon of animal therapy.

Residents were able to interact with animals such as a snake, mouse, tarantula, and a bearded dragon, which were brought into the home by the local organisation, Animal Club.

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

Commenting on the afternoon, Shushila, aged 90, said: “I enjoyed the experience and holding the animals and learning facts about them.

Tracey Cheeseman, Home Manager at Smyth Lodge, said: “Here at Smyth Lodge, we are always planning new and exciting activities for residents to take part in. We have so many residents who are animal lovers, so we knew introducing some new friends, even of the scaly variety, would be a popular activity.

“Animal therapy can be very beneficial for older people as it can help to lift their mood as well as encourage social interaction, especially for those living with dementia. It was great to see the residents really interacting with the creatures and enjoying spending time with them!

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Animal Club for coming in and putting on a wonderful afternoon for the residents.”

Smyth Lodge has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, and it has luxury facilities, including its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon, gym and bar.