THERAPY PONIES VISIT A DELIGHT
Miniature Shetlands welcomed
Miniature Shetland ponies were the guests at Comrie’s Dalginross House.
Some unlikely guests trotted in to visit residents of a Strath care home last week.
Miniature Shetland ponies were the guests at Comrie’s Dalginross House.
And they proved to be very popular with residents as well as Comrie Primary pupils who went along to meet the cute creatures and got to lead them around the garden.
The polite ponies are from Therapy Ponies Scotland, which is run by John and Elaine Sangster.
Elaine told the Herald: “We have 14 ponies and we use seven for the visits.
“They are so gentle and kind and we really enjoy sharing them with people who would not normally be able to see them.”
The ponies didn’t just stay in the garden. They went indoors to nuzzle up to those that were not so able as well.
Elaine added: “We had a fabulous visit and everyone just loved the boys. Our little ponies bring joy and happiness to everyone who meets them.
“They happily go into lifts to reach upper floors so they can see people who are perhaps unable to get out of bed, so that no-one misses out.
“There is great excitement for the residents before a visit. During the visit is great fun with lots of laughs and then, afterwards, the ponies are talked about for weeks.
“What John and I see are people enjoying the company of our ponies, kissing and cuddling them.
“It’s only when we speak to the carers and nurses that we realise that some of the residents who are so enthusiastic with us and the boys, normally don’t want to get involved or take part in anything.
“That for us makes our visits so worthwhile. We make sure the ponies are immaculately clean and as soft as teddy bears – and, of course, they wear their ‘woopsie daisy bags’ just in case!”
Dalginross House manager Linda Paterson said: “It was wonderful to see everyone responding to these amazing little ponies and the interactions between children, residents and the ponies.
“The ponies came into the home to meet our residents. Again, the reactions were amazing.
“Our residents were interactive with the ponies and they were so gentle with the residents.
“It was very therapeutic and the ponies visited residents in their rooms who were unable to come along to the sitting room
“They were clean and perfectly groomed. Their coats were soft to touch - a credit to John and Elaine.
“It was a fantastic afternoon. Just being in their presence evoked such a positive experience response from everyone.”
Find out more on Facebook or email therapyponiesscotland@gmail.com.