See who’s here! The moment two alpacas make a surprise visit to the care home (and even take the lift)
- The two alpacas paid a surprise visit to residents at a care home in Powys, Wales
- Arriving just in time for afternoon tea, the alpacas took the elevator to the top floor
- Residents greeted the woolen benefactors with many caresses and pats
This is the moment when the residents of a care home in Wales received a surprise visit from two friendly alpacas.
The woolly benefactors arrived at The Oaks Care Home in Newtown, Powys, just in time for afternoon tea today.
The footage from the unusual meeting shows how the two alpacas were taken out of the elevator before being taken to the hall, where the inhabitants showered them with love.
Two alpacas, Alex and Bethany, entered a care home in Wales today to join the residents for afternoon tea. In the photo: Resident Merrill Simcox enjoys a place for “pet therapy”
Sarah Tickle (left) and Isabel Titley (right) take the Andean camels out of the elevator to the top-floor residents, who are not told they will be joined by alpacas
Resident Sylvia Hughes receives a night visit from several woolen benefactors
The alpacas, named Alex and Bethany, were brought home to offer the residents “pet therapy” – and in return for the fluffy Andean animals, they enjoyed being stroked and patted by their gray audience.
They even took the elevator to visit the occupants of their own rooms.
Coordinator of the activities Izzy Titley said: “I am leaving The Oaks in a few weeks to travel the world and I wanted to take a few last tricks out of my hat to surprise the residents.
“I told them we just had our usual Friday afternoon bingo!”
Daniel Hart, 42, a registered manager at the nursing home, said the visit was inspired by the desire of several residents to visit the zoo.
Mr Hart said: “We thought it would be more fun to bring them the animals.
“The Alpacas were a big hit and it was great to see everyone’s faces when they arrived.”
Residents of Oaks Care Home in Newtown, Powys, pat the two animals from the Andes
Sarah Tickle (left) of Admirals View Alpacas and care home manager Isabel Titley (right) introduce the animals to another occupant
Daniel Hart, 42, a registered caretaker at the nursing home, said several residents had offered to visit the zoo, adding: “We thought it would be more fun to bring the animals to them.”
Alpaca Alex and Bethany are taken out of the lift. Ms Tickle said: “They are comfortable in the elevator, so even the residents on different floors did not miss their visit.”
Ms. Tickle said: “Alpacas are very friendly animals and they liked their visit.”
The Huacaya Alpacas are part of a seven-member therapeutic team from Admirals View Alpacas in Shropshire, led by Sarah Tickle.
Ms. Tickle said: “Alpacas are very friendly animals and they enjoyed their visit to The Oaks Care Home.
“They are comfortable in the elevator, so even the residents on different floors have not missed their visit.”
The Oaks Care Home, which offers residential and nursing care as well as dementia care, is part of the Sandstone Care Group.
Advertising