THREE fluffy alpacas stopped by Advinia Health Care’s Hill View Care Home in Clydebank to cheer up residents.
Sid, Eric, and Chester arrived from a local farm and walked around the home and checked up on occupants in their rooms, much to their joy.
Agnes, 82, who has been at the home for 14 months, said: "This really made my day, they’re so lovely and friendly. It’s a shame they can’t move into the garden here permanently."
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Kirsty Goldie, the care home manager, said: "Because of the Covid pandemic, it’s been such a tough year for our residents.
"Now that all our residents and staff are vaccinated and we can open up a bit to the outside world, we’ve been doing loads of activities to try to make up for it.
"Elderly people, particularly those living with dementia, benefit greatly from the therapeutic nature of these animals. It’s also been a lot of fun for the staff too!"
Regular activities such as bingo or arts and crafts are nothing compared to the chance to pet fluffy, doe-eyed alpacas.
Animal-assisted therapy has long been proven to be beneficial for the emotional and mental wellbeing of the elderly. Not only does it reduce stress and depression, but it also combats loneliness.
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