Animal mania in Chester

There was animal mania in Chester yesterday, when Sanctuary Care residents received a visit from a rather unusual collection of animals.

The array of creatures, including creepy crawlies and furry friends, were the star attraction at Upton Dene Residential and Nursing Home in Caldecott Close, when residents enjoyed an animal-handling show.

Getting up close, residents and the team held and stroked snakes, spiders, frogs and many more fascinating creatures, as well as guinea pigs, rabbits and gerbils from Zoolab – who provide live animal-handling workshops.

A trained ranger was also on hand throughout the interactive session to answer any of the residents’ questions and share interesting facts.

91-year-old resident Doreen Vardie said: “I really enjoyed seeing all the animals – it’s the second time they have visited so I was really looking forward to seeing them again and stroking them.”

Fellow resident Jean Capner, who is 87 years old, added: “I love the animals, I even talk to them!”

The Sanctuary Care home’s care assistant, Bernie Harding, continued: “Animal sessions are always popular within the home as our residents find handling animals – even snakes and frogs – very enjoyable! Their faces lit up as soon as the critters arrived and they couldn’t wait to hold and learn some interesting facts, it all made for a lovely afternoon!”

ZooLab delivers imaginative animal-handling workshops to community groups across the UK. The animal-assisted therapy they deliver is proven to promote wellbeing, increase social participation and particularly benefit those who live with dementia.

click here for more details or to contact Upton Dene Residential and Nursing Home