Care Homes & Assisted Living

Bring Joy and Connection to Your Care Home with Our Animal Therapy Visits

Dear Managers & Activities Co-ordinators — we are delighted to introduce our unique animal therapy service, designed to bring moments of joy, comfort, and connection to residents and staff in care homes and assisted living facilities. Our gentle miniature Shetland ponies, alongside friendly small and farm animals, create magical experiences that spark smiles, rekindle cherished memories, and enhance overall wellbeing.

Our Animals Available for Therapeutic Interactions

We offer therapeutic interactions with a variety of animals, each bringing unique benefits to your residents.

Ponies

Our Miniature Shetland ponies — Bella, Pippa, Missy and Spirit — are calm, gentle and love spending time with you. They are perfect for brushing, petting and giving that special pony cuddle. They happily navigate around your home; if a resident is unable to sit out of bed, our ponies will join bedside for special cuddles and may even rest their heads for a little nap.

Small Animals

• Rabbits and guinea pigs — calm, soft and cuddly. Ideal for comfort and companionship; their soft fur and gentle nature provide a wonderful sensory experience.

Farm Animals

• Goats & sheep — friendly and curious, bringing fun and excitement as residents observe them up close.
• Chickens & ducks — a safe, controlled way to learn about natural behaviour. Our chickens especially enjoy perching and can be stroked; our cockerel is a firm favourite with his cock-a-doodle-do.

Note: Only a selection of our animals are brought to each session. Sessions are tailored to your preferences and needs to ensure a calm, focused experience.

The Many Benefits of Animal Therapy

Our therapy visits go far beyond a momentary smile. They create lasting emotional, physical and psychological benefits for residents and have a profoundly positive impact on staff.

For Residents

1. Emotional Benefits

• Stress and anxiety relief — petting animals lowers stress and promotes relaxation.
• Pure joy and laughter — interactions brighten moods and create a warm atmosphere.
• Companionship — for those feeling lonely, the unconditional love of an animal provides comfort.

2. Cognitive Benefits

• Memory stimulation — animals evoke fond memories of childhood pets or farm life and spark storytelling.
• Improved engagement — residents often become more alert and focused during and after sessions.

3. Physical Benefits

• Encouraged movement — stroking, grooming or holding animals promotes gentle motor activity.
• Health improvements — animal interactions can lower blood pressure and heart rate and alleviate discomfort.

4. Psychological Benefits

• Boosting confidence — interactions help residents feel a renewed sense of accomplishment.
• Fostering purpose — caring for animals builds pride and meaningful activity.

Our Commitment to Cleanliness and Animal Welfare

We take great care to ensure the comfort of our animals and the cleanliness of your space during home visits.

• Pony Diaper Bags — our ponies wear horse-friendly diaper bags for indoor visits to ensure cleanliness and prevent mess.
• Goat & Sheep Diapers — used during indoor visits to prevent any mess and keep the environment comfortable.
• Protective Shoes — our ponies wear specially designed, non-slip, floor-friendly shoes to protect flooring and prevent slipping.
• Animal Welfare First — animals are transported and cared for with welfare in mind: regular breaks, comfortable transport and calm handling.
• Small Animal Baskets — rabbits and guinea pigs sit in their special baskets for safety and comfort while stroked.

We’re committed to making each visit seamless and enjoyable while prioritising the health, safety and comfort of the animals. If you have specific requirements, we’ll happily accommodate them.

Rekindling Cherished Memories

Animal therapy is a bridge to the past. Many residents have treasured memories tied to animals; our visits help rekindle those connections.

Equine Memories

• Working horses — ponies can remind residents of horses used for daily tasks, sparking vivid memories.
• Caring for animals — residents recall feeding, brushing and caring for animals with pride.
• Cultural traditions — from market days to carriage rides, ponies evoke family and community memories.

Small & Farm Animals

• First pets — holding a rabbit or guinea pig can bring back memories of first pets and shared adventures.
• Farmyard friends — goats, sheep and chickens evoke simpler times like gathering eggs or watching animals roam.
• Sensory triggers — fur warmth or gentle clucking can be comforting, especially for those with dementia.

Ensuring Accessibility for All Residents

• Navigating indoors — ponies are trained to move around furniture, narrow hallways and busy communal spaces.
• Lift-ready — ponies can use lifts to reach upper floors and private rooms when needed.
• Bedside visits — we bring ponies and small animals directly to bedbound residents for intimate interactions.
• Wheelchair accessibility — ponies can walk alongside wheelchairs and small animals can be placed in laps safely.

Benefits for Staff Members

• Stress reduction and mood boost — staff also benefit emotionally; interacting with animals lowers stress and creates a more positive atmosphere.
• Enhanced team morale — shared positive experiences boost pride and motivation.
• Strengthened relationships — joint participation deepens connections between staff and residents.
• Increased engagement and energy — animals bring liveliness to the environment.
• Burnout relief — seeing the positive impact on residents provides emotional relief and renewed purpose.

How Pricing Works

We offer a range of visit options to cater to different needs:

• One hour visit with one pony or small animals or farm animals: £150
• One hour visit with one pony & small animals or one pony & farm animals or two ponies: £225
• One & half hour visit with one pony or small animals or farm animals: £200
• One & half hour visit with one pony & small animals or one pony & farm animals or two ponies: £275
• Two hour visit with one pony or small animals or farm animals: £250
• Two hour visit with one pony & small animals or one pony & farm animals or two ponies: £325

Fuel Charges

We apply a fuel charge to cover travel costs and ensure our animals are transported safely and comfortably. We offer free travel for the first 10 miles (5 miles each way). After that, we charge £1.50 per mile for any additional distance. Ultra-low emission or congestion zone fees (if applicable) will also apply.

Example

If you are located 30 miles away from EverDale Stables:
Total Distance (Round Trip): 60 miles
First 10 Miles Free: subtract 10 miles, leaving 50 chargeable miles.
Fuel Charge: 50 miles × £1.50 = £75

Benefits of Multi-Home Visit

• Fuel charges can be divided among participating homes, reducing costs for each.
• Residents across homes benefit from enriching sessions at a reduced cost.
• Coordinating visits promotes community collaboration and sustainability.