Offerton care home residents left shocked after surprise visit from alpacas

By Izzy Hawksworth SWNS

11th Jan 2024 | Local News

Residents at Bruce Lodge, Offerton, were treated to a visit from alpacas Teddy and Carlos as part of a 'pet therapy' session (Image - SWNS)
Residents at Bruce Lodge, Offerton, were treated to a visit from alpacas Teddy and Carlos as part of a 'pet therapy' session (Image - SWNS)

A group of local care home residents were left shocked after they had a surprise visit - from two alpacas.

Elderly people who live at the Bruce Lodge care home in Offerton were visited by animals Teddy and Carlos for a pet therapy session.

Pet therapy uses animals as a form of companionship and treatment, and it's said it can improve an older person's emotional, social, or cognitive abilities.

The care home said the alpacas were known for their gentle nature and enjoy the company of humans.

But the residents were left shocked by the surprise visit as 'things like this just don't happen.'

Teddy and Carlos were specially selected for their affinity with people (Image - SWNS)

Care home resident Barbara, 87, said: "I can't believe what I'm seeing, I can't believe he's in front of me.

"Things like this just don't happen."

Marion, who also lives at the home, described the animals as 'lovely' but said she thought they were 'trying to talk to her.'

The 91-year-old said: "They were lovely and obedient. It was like they were trying to talk to me - but they'd have to be good to out-talk me."

Residents at Bruce Lodge, Offerton, were impressed by the visitors! (Image - SWNS)

Care home resident Kath, 86, added: "I liked it a lot, and I usually don't like things."

Teddy and Carlos travelled from Knightley Alpaca Trekking in Staffordshire for the surprise visit.

Seb Williams, the activity and lifestyle facilitator at Bruce Lodge, said the resident's smiles when they saw the animals 'was amazing.'

He said "Our residents were shocked when the alpacas walked in - but they loved it. Everyone's smiles were amazing.

"It was so much fun - especially seeing the alpacas go upstairs in the lift."

~

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter

     

New stockport Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: stockport jobs

Share:

Related Articles

Mark Dutton, a Stockport local, is taking on an epic walking challenge to fundraise for The Christie hospital (Images - main: Mark McNeill / Unsplash | inset bottom left: via The Christie)
Local News

Stockport man embarks on epic fundraising walk in memory of his mum

Stockport Council has revealed that it is facing a budget gap of £60m which needs to be plugged by 2028/29 (Image - Alasdair Perry)
Local News

Council faces financial pressure - warns of potential service cuts

Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide stockport with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.