News

Residents at Richmond Villages Aston-on-Trent recently welcomed an array of unusual visitors to their home.

The village’s team of activity co-ordinators invited Lion Learners to pay the residents a visit, accompanied by their animal friends.

Lion Learners provides animal handling experiences to care homes, schools and hospitals, sharing knowledge about the animals including where they are native to and how best to pet them.

The special guests and stars of the day were some fluffy guinea pigs and rabbits, a corn snake, a tenrec, a blue-tongued skink and a leaf insect, which residents learned are the masters of camouflage in the animal kingdom.

Some were happy to watch from the comfort of their armchairs, but others got stuck in and jumped at the opportunity to hold and pet the animals.

Jean, resident at Richmond Villages Aston-on-Trent, said: “The little guinea pigs were so adorable. I loved it when they sat on my lap and let me stroke them.”

A few residents volunteered to hold the corn snake, one being Mary.

Mary shared: “The handlers were very knowledgeable and told me that the snake was friendly. It was definitely my favourite part of the visit. It’s not every day you get to hold a snake!”

Kerstin Taylor, Village Manager, said: “I want to say a big thank you to the team at Lion Learners for bringing their amazing animals to the village; it was such a wonderful visit. It is brilliant to see everyone engaging with the animals. We would love to have Lion Learners return for more activities like this.”

Animal therapy can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, loneliness and depression. Spending time with animals can make residents more alert, engaged and can ultimately improve their well-being.

Lion Learners is a professional animal handling experience service and puts animal welfare at the forefront of everything they do.