Ponies a mane attraction for care home’s residents
MINIATURE Shetland ponies have made elderly residents of a Glasgow care home feel young again – thanks to a surprise visit.
Eduardo, 2, and Wilson, 6, popped into Glasgow Housing Association’s sheltered service in Marfield Street, Carntyne recently.
The therapy ponies were at the care home for the service’s activities programme, which gives tenants the chance to get involved, socialise and enjoy themselves.
Elaine and John Sangster, of Therapy Ponies Scotland, travel around the country with their ponies and visit care homes to brighten up residents’ day.
They first came up with the idea to take their ponies into care homes after the animals caused such a fuss while out and about in their own area in East Lothian.
The couple would often exercise the ponies by taking them for a walk down their local high street, but they were such a hit with residents that it would take hours with people wanting photos.
Research has shown animal-assisted therapy can improve mood, lower blood pressure and increase physical activity.
Elaine, who has 14 ponies in total, said: “We decided it was a nice idea to take the ponies to people who can’t come out to see them. They are so dinky and tiny that they can go everywhere in a care home.
“We just love it and enjoy doing it. We just see people having fun but the carers tell us it makes a difference. One minute we are chatting away to someone with the ponies and then the carer is in tears as that person does not normally talk.”
Tenant Sheila Lilley, 91, said the ponies had made her feel young again.
She said: “It was just like being a child. It was lovely just to stroke it. I like animals. It makes you feel young again. It was like a wean getting a toy, when you were clapping it and its wee face was coming in. They are lovely.”
Liz Smith, Area Care Manager for Glasgow Housing Association’s Sheltered services, said: “It really was a case of animal magic. Everyone had a smile on their face, and Wilson and Eduardo brought so much joy to people here. We all had a cracking day”.