RESIDENTS of a dementia care home near Wellington were delighted to receive a visit from Charlie the donkey, Flora the miniature Shetland pony, pygmy goats Bam Bam and Pebbles, and some rabbits and guinea pigs.

The animals were accompanied to Camelot House and Lodge by their handler Kelly Baker, of Kelly’s Donkeys and Second Chance Petting Farm.

Twenty-four-year-old Charlie and 12 year-old Flora were taken on a tour of the home where residents were able to stroke them, and then feed them treats in the garden.

Camelot head of care Sam Paddon said the residents’ responses to meeting the animals was touching.

Ms Paddon said: “Many of the ladies and gents who live with us have farming connections, and they were so happy to be able to be so close to Charlie and Flora, to stroke them and smell their lovely smell.

“They also started reminiscing about seaside holidays and riding donkeys on the beach, either themselves or with their children or grandchildren, and telling us about these memories makes them really happy.”

Ms Baker, who has worked with horses and donkeys all her life, has been running Kelly’s Donkeys since 2014 from her purpose-built stables on the Somerset-Wiltshire border.

She said: “We have a total of 26 donkeys, all of whom are rescues.

“With the assisted-therapy donkeys, we select those with calm and gentle temperaments, and we train them to be able to handle working inside, being around wheelchairs, walking on different surfaces, reversing out of bedrooms in tight spaces, and standing quietly while surrounded by vulnerable people.

“The donkeys wear specially-designed nappies and are trained to use the lift or stairs, providing these meet our safety requirements.

“The welfare of our animals is our top priority and we have a five-star animal welfare license which is testament to that.

“Our visit to Camelot House and Lodge started with us introducing Charlie and Flora to people in the lounge, and then we headed off around the bedrooms to make sure all the residents who wished to had the option of interacting with the animals.

“We had a lovely chat with residents about their backgrounds, animals they have owned, and other things donkey and pony-related, and it was obvious how much they enjoyed telling us about their lives.

“Stroking an animal has been proven to lower blood pressure, and we know the benefits of bringing ‘the outside inside’ and allowing vulnerable people to interact with animals are huge.

“These meetings can be quite emotional to witness, we find even residents who are otherwise unwilling to take part in activities, or who rarely speak or do not seem to want much contact with the world outside their bedroom, can all respond in a positive manner when our wonderful donkeys poke their heads around their doors.”

Camelot House and Lodge is run by award-winning dementia care providers Camelot Care, which also run homes in Bridgwater, Plymouth and Yeovil.

Kelly’s Donkeys also supports events requiring traditional donkey rides, educational, and special needs visits.