At Friends of the Elderly’s RNNH Care Home in Bournemouth, Dorset, the residents have been having a ‘whale of a time’ talking and engaging with a wide range of unusual animals. This came about thanks to a visit from The Creature Teachers, a local animal encounters and experiences company which brings a variety of exotic and domestic animals into care homes for one-to-one interactions.

Residents spent an afternoon engaging with a stunning barn owl named Echo, two ferrets – Sunshine and Chester, Vincent the tortoise, Perci a giant rabbit and a unique snake called Jasper.

All the residents put on a protective falconry glove and literally opened their arms to welcome the visiting owl as she landed on them. They all agreed that Echo the barn owl and Perci the rabbit were their favourites, with one resident calling the barn owl ‘a beautiful creature.’

Teacher Creatures Owner Lisa Kiely said: “It was wonderful to see the RNNH residents making real connections with our creature family. We tailor each of our encounters so they are not only accessible and entertaining, but beneficial and therapeutic to the people we visit. It was a great afternoon.”

Resident Jean Gillingham said: “It was a lovely afternoon. I really enjoyed holding the barn owl” with another resident, Ann Samuels saying: “I thought the giant rabbit was lovely, his fur was so soft.”

“Lisa and her team, together with their marvellous collection of creatures, gave our residents a unique and joyful afternoon. They were patient and calming and helped some residents overcome their animal fears, giving them time to be confident and happy to touch or stroke one or more or the creatures.

“The animal afternoon was such a success, we are already planning yet another return visit, which the residents are already really looking forward to”, concluded Registered Manager, Alan Johnson.