Charlie is one of the drove of donkeys at Kelly’s Donkeys and came to visit residents at Avonbourne Care Centre in Old Sarum as part of the programme of activities for Care Home Open Week.  Charlie’s sweet nature managed to light up so many faces in no time at all!

Interacting with animals has a positive effect on people and, with many of our residents having had pets themselves, Charlie proved to be one of our most popular visitors yet.

Donkeys are intelligent, sensitive and easy to train, making them excellent therapy animals.  Charlie loves getting out and about meeting people, in shared spaces or even in people’s bedrooms.  It meant that everyone had the chance to benefit from Charlie’s 'stable' nature.  Stroking and being able to show affection to any animal is hugely beneficial to us all, so at Avonbourne we like to invite animals in to our home as often as we can.  Remember the chicks we hatched at Easter?

Many of our residents were able to recall riding donkeys at the beach when they were younger, or taking their own children to see the animals, so Charlie was able to prompt lots of reminiscence conversations.