Visitors to Warren Lodge Care Centre in Wokingham would have been forgiven for thinking they’d dropped into Old MacDonald’s farm last week, when residents and their families mingled with goats, donkeys, sheep, hens and many more furry and feathered visitors during the home’s summer farm day.
The lawns at the home were transformed into pens and paddocks for the animals, with residents invited to stroke, feed and handle the animals, which were visiting from Mill Cottage Farm Experience. Glorious sunshine created a perfect summer’s day for the fun farm day, which was attended by many members of the residents’ families, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“It was fantastic to see how much the residents enjoyed interacting with the animals – those who were able to came to see them outside, with some choosing to join the sheep and goats within their pens – a real ‘up-close’ experience,” comments events co-ordinator, Janine Wakefield.
Less mobile residents got to experience the animals, too, with a dog, guinea pig and chicken taken around to the rooms of those who were unable to join the fun outside. “The animals were all wonderfully well-behaved, and the smiles on our residents’ faces when they were stroking and interacting with the animals was incredibly heart-warming,” adds Janine. “We have some residents who often choose not to get involved in bigger events like this, but I think the combination of a beautiful sunny day and cuddly animals was too much to resist on this occasion – and a great time was had by everyone!”
The day was topped off with a visit from the ice-cream van, with almost every resident enjoying a frozen treat!
