Residents at a West Sussex care home were thrilled to welcome a very special four-legged guest recently.
Upper Mead Care Home in Henfield, which offers residential and nursing care, warmly welcomed Digby the Shetland pony, who popped in with his handlers from The Little Hoof Company to say hello and meet the residents.
As well as spending time in the home’s lounges, Digby visited residents in their rooms too, and everyone very much enjoyed petting and stroking the beautiful miniature pony. There was even a trip in the home’s lift for Digby, something he took completely in his stride.
“Animal-assisted visits like this are fantastic from a wellbeing perspective,” said Lynn Lovett, Manager at Upper Mead. “You could see the change the moment Digby walked into the room – faces lit up, there was lots of chatting and there was a real sense of calm and happiness. Visits like these make a huge difference to our residents’ emotional and social wellbeing.”
The benefits of the visit were clear to see. Many residents reminisced about animals they once owned. Others enjoyed the tactile experience of stroking Digby’s soft coat or holding his lead rope.
Tinka Allingham, Owner of The Little Hoof Company, added: “Digby absolutely loves meeting people, and it’s always a joy to see the positive reactions he brings out in the residents. We design every visit to be gentle, safe and uplifting, and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch these little ponies create moments of connection that mean so much.
“Miniature Shetland ponies are exceptionally people-oriented and Digby, and his friend Doug who sometimes joins him on visits like these – genuinely seem to enjoy meeting residents and spending time in busy, social settings.
“At home they live as cherished family ponies with plenty of time outdoors, and they also enjoy carriage driving, which helps keep them active and mentally stimulated. Their handlers always ensure their welfare comes first, with short visits, regular rest days and lots of positive experiences to keep them relaxed and happy in their work.”