A Passion For Creepy Crawlies…
A new caring career
Nature and animals have always been part of Kris Freeman’s life and over the years his interest has evolved into a passion.
“I grew up on Salisbury Plain which is teeming with wildlife and it was the best playground that any kid could want. I was about five when I caught my first lizard. I put it into a tank, observed its behaviour and then let it go again. That experience sparked an interest in animals that has been with me ever since.”
Indeed, as Kris grew, so did his desire to learn more about the animals around him, to the point where he now shares his home with more than 400 different creatures, including exotic ones.
“Pretty much every room in the house has an animal in it, with the exception of the bathroom! I’ve got everything from tarantulas, stick insects and scorpions to a 12ft Burmese python named Saul.
“Occasionally someone will say, ‘Those animals belong in the wild,’ which is a very valid point, but what I explain to people is that animals are in trouble in their native countries due to deforestation and loss of habitat.
“The animals I use are all captive bred in the UK, they’re having their natural environment recreated and they’re getting the best care. One of the snakes I care for is a Hog Island boa which is extinct in the wild now.”
This desire to educate people about nature led to a life-changing decision for Kris.
“Six years ago I was an account sales manager for a telecoms company but I wasn’t happy. I was offered redundancy and I thought, I want to do something I love.
“A friend suggested I take my animals into nurseries and schools to let the kids handle and learn about them and my venture Tropical Discovery Workshop was born!”
Building on the success of these educational visits, Kris decided to offer his service to a local care home. He was surprised by the therapeutic effect contact with the animals has on residents.
“They get so much enjoyment out of it. A sight impaired individual obviously isn’t going to get much from looking at an animal but if I let a millipede with hundreds of legs walk across their hand or let them stroke a textured snake I know it’s going to feel absolutely wonderful.
“For residents with dementia, I’ve found that holding a Madagascan hissing cockroach can trigger some sort of a spark, while stroking a bearded dragon can have a calming effect.”
Kris finds his visits to care homes so rewarding that they’ve now become his main role. One particular trip to Goodson Lodge Care Centre even brought him to tears.
“I was visiting a resident named John who had a condition that had left him bed bound and he never spoke. In order that he wouldn’t miss out, I brought a red and black milk snake
“Special moments happen constantly when Kris is here. It’s magical”
named Steven to his room.
“I spoke to John about who I was and about Steven and then, with his permission, led the snake on to him so he could feel the texture of its skin. John reached out, started stroking Steven and began talking to him very gently, almost as though he were a puppy.
“The activities co-ordinator broke down in tears and I was emotional, too. The reward I
got from that was immense.”
Kris treasures moments like these and has built up a rapport with many of the residents he visits regularly.
“They’ve had such incredible lives and I love chatting with them. Over at Goodson Lodge a lady named Phyllis had the bearded dragon on her arm and was explaining their similarities; they’re both dragons, spiky on the outside and a bit mad! We were actually filming a documentary that day and she also spent a while chatting up the cameraman!”
The joy that Kris derives from interactions like these means he’s keen to continue and extend his business.
“I would love to start a sanctuary. That’s the goal.”
Rebecca Jones, customer relationship r manager at Goodson G Lodge Care Centre, says, s “As part of The Orders of o St John Care Trust, making sure s residents are part of the community c and that they enjoy a fulfilling life is very important, so getting involved with Tropical Discovery Workshop was something we were really keen to do.
“Our experience with Kris has shown that the benefit of animal therapy is massive, especially in residents living with dementia. Focussing on the animals allows residents to be in the present moment and relieves their anxiety.
“Kris is so engaging. Last time he visited he met Janet, a lady with a snake phobia. He had a snake round her neck within ten minutes!
“Special moments happen constantly when Kris is here. It’s magical.” For more information on The Orders Of St John Care Trust visit WWW.OSJCT.CO.UK