Residents at Bupa
Northhaven Care Home were treated to a visit from an
unlikely guest this week, Raisin a 24-year-old therapy
horse.
Many residents who had previously owned or rode
horses felt an immediate connection.
Jayne Weir,
Activities Coordinator at Northhaven talks of the benefit of
therapy animals visiting the care home.
“We’ve had
a resident who recently joined our Northhaven Care Home who
had been struggling socially and reluctant to engage with
others. With news of Raisin’s visit, she joined the lounge
and stayed for the whole day. It brought people together and
was a big breakthrough,” she says.
Raisin is a
regular at care homes and retirement villages throughout the
North Shore.
“Their eyes widen, smiles go up, our
residents are completely engaged. It’s lovely to see,”
says Weir.
Raisin is on track to become a registered
therapy animal with Hato Hone St John later this year
through their Pet Therapy programme. Owner Ashleigh Haynes
explains: “We’ve had Raisin for six years, she’s so
gentle.”
“We’ve had an experience where a
resident who hadn’t often participated in conversations,
meets Raisin and then begins to tell me of her life living
on a sheep and beef farm and share memories of her animals.
She had the biggest smile, her caregiver was absolutely
amazed.
“Animals are a great icebreaker. They get
people talking and connecting,” says
Haynes.
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