Guinea pigs bring joy to care home residents

Residents at Argyles Bupa Care Home were recently treated to a pet therapy session, thanks to local animal experience providers Cuddly Cavies.

Guinea pigs - Annie, Dora, and Rosie - visited the Newbury care home where staff and residents had enormous fun cuddling and interacting with the animals from the comfort of their armchairs. This heartwarming experience brought smiles to the faces of the residents as they petted their furry visitors.

Home Manager Jane Edwards said: “The morning was a great success. Everyone enjoyed meeting the guinea pigs and it was a lovely experience that our residents haven’t stopped talking about. We’re thrilled to make such beautiful memories for them.”

Resident Audrey Hebditch, aged 94, said: “It was such a lovely morning and I really enjoyed having a cuddle with a real guinea pig.”

Pet therapy with guinea pigs offers significant benefits for care home residents, and is designed to encourage, engage, and enable the use of fine motor skills, prompt memories, encourage vocalisation and provide a sensory experience for all.

Cuddly Cavies has many years’ experience in providing pets with the best standard of care, and are award winning specialists in therapeutic guinea-pig visits to all care settings.

Argyles Bupa Care Home is situated in Newbury, Berkshire and welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care including those living with Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. For further information, please visit https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services.