Molly the donkey pays a visit

Residents at The Hawthorns in Wilmslow welcomed an unusual guest this month when Molly the donkey dropped by for a visit. The visit was arranged through the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust, which provides therapy visits to older people as well as therapy riding for children with special needs.

CLS, the charitable organisation that owns The Hawthorns and 28 other care homes throughout Cheshire, Wigan and Warrington, believes that pets and animals can positively benefit the wellbeing of older people. Each CLS home gives residents the opportunity to interact and enjoy the company of animals through a number of initiatives and organised activities, including visiting PAT (Pets as Therapy) dogs, and visits from local owl keepers and keepers of exotic animals such as tarantulas, snakes and lizards. A number of CLS homes are also members of the Cinnamon Trust, respecting the bond between older people and their pets. As such, many homes have live-in pets, including cats, birds, rabbits and even chickens.

The Hawthorns is home to two pet budgies, and a registered PAT dog, a Labrador named Rosie, visits residents twice a month. Home Manager, Claire Bibby comments: “Our residents love animals, and we’re a very animal-friendly home. Animals and pets have a special ability to boost morale – they provide companionship and bring happiness and laughter. Molly the donkey is the most unusual animal to visit The Hawthorns so far and was great fun having her here, walking around our home.”