Zoo visitors at Mansfield Care Homes

Mansfield Care Homes often welcome animal visitors, including cats, dogs and rabbits, which are frequently used in animal therapy. But in November, residents had the chance to meet some highly unusual animals they’d never encountered before. ZooLab animal therapy specialises in ethical hands-on animal encounters, and works with schools and the care sector to introduce people to exotic animals in tailored handling sessions.

Residents at St John’s in Melrose were interested in the idea, and staff invited everyone at nearby Galahill House to come over and meet the ZooLab visitors, too.

The ZooLab ranger Tristan brought some exotic animals, including an Australian frog, a corn snake, a giant centipede and even a tarantula. As activities coordinator Denise explains, the residents were curious and intrigued. “Tristan went round all the residents and introduced the animals, explaining where they came from and a bit about them. They were offered the animals to touch, and they were amazingly brave for their age.”

She admits that some of the staff ran out of the room! But the residents were bolder. “They wanted to know what they felt like. And some people thought the frog wasn’t real, so they wanted to touch it and see. Doris even had a corn snake wrapped around her arm! Luckily, the tarantula was in a glass box.”

Denise says staff weren’t sure about the suggestion of meeting ZooLab at first. “Our care home is very small. Tristan asked us to lower the temperature for the animals, so we had to wrap up warm. But it was a fabulous activity. Everyone was excited in the run-up, and it was something really different. Normally, they would only see these animals on TV or in pictures. So it was a great thrill at their age, and they enjoyed the social aspect of seeing the other residents. It was a memorable day.”

Many thanks to Mansfield Care staff for the fabulous photos.