Inverness Culduthel Care Home residents pick up alpaca pals on trip to Loch Ness Alpacas at farm near Dores
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It was a case of ‘Al-paca picnic… and you pack the alpaca treats!’ for care home residents Murdoch McPherson and Doreen Mackay.
The pair from Culduthel Care Home in Inverness fell head over hooves in love with their new fluffy friends on a day out at Loch Ness Alpacas near Dores village.
They were treated to the unique experience as part of animal therapy organised by care home owners Meallmore Ltd, while the gentle creatures - including Apollo, Gemini and Orbit - were treated to carrot titbits brought along to feed them.
With 12 alpacas in all at the Dores farm, the ‘meet and greet’ with the animals proved popular.
Animal-assisted therapy is seen as beneficial in older people’s care as physical contact encourages communication, can reduce stress and anxiety, and even improve motor skills and self-esteem.
Denise Scott, care home manager of Culduthel, said: “It’s not every day you get up close to an alpaca, and so Murdoch and Doreen were overjoyed following their trip to the farm.
“Doreen had never seen an alpaca before, and Murdoch particularly enjoyed feeding the creatures some carrots.
“He mentioned that he wished he could bring one back to the care home – although I don’t think we quite have space for an alpaca at Culduthel just yet!”
“As well as being lots of fun, animal therapy is also hugely important for our residents. It is really relaxing for them to meet animals like the alpacas who live at Loch Ness Alpacas farm.
“At Meallmore we’re committed to delivering exceptional standards of care and activities to our residents and this visit is just one of the ways in which we strive to enrich the lives of our residents.
“We can’t wait to host another trip later in the year.”
Fiona Cairns from Loch Ness Alpacas added: “We brought our alpaca Apollo out to meet one of the residents, Murdoch, so he could get a bit closer.
“They were best friends immediately, so I left them to it.
“I then turned around to find Apollo lying by Murdoch’s chair, both happy as Larry.
“This is just one example of how alpacas are so in tune with the needs of individual people. It was brilliant to see.”
Culduthel Care Home, located on West Heather Road, provides care for residents including those living with dementia.
More information about Culduthel can be found at https://www.meallmore.co.uk/our-care-homes/culduthel/
