Residents of The Hawthorns in Wilmslow started their Christmas celebrations early when they welcomed a 'little donkey' into their home. Already a familiar face and much-loved friend, 'Molly' the donkey called into the CLS-run care home for a second time, having first visited residents at the beginning of the year.
Claire Bibby, Home Manager at The Hawthorns, comments: "Residents enjoyed Molly's visit so much the first time that we just had to invite her back to see us again. She's such a lovely, tame animal, and everyone's spirits are instantly lifted as soon as they set eyes on her. Faces simply light up. It's wonderful to see, and a perfect start to our Christmas celebrations."
Molly's visits are arranged through the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust, a charity that operates a number of donkey sanctuaries across the UK, and serves communities by providing 'donkey therapy' visits and riding sessions for older people and children with special needs. Since her first visit to The Hawthorns in January, Molly has visited almost all of the 26 Cheshire and Wigan care homes managed by charitable organisation, CLS Care Services.
100 year-old Bertha Copestick enjoys Molly's visits so much that she is hoping to visit the Elisabeth Svensden Trust Centre in Manchester next year to have a go at riding one of the donkeys. For Bertha, who has never ridden a donkey before, this will be a childhood wish fulfilled.
In addition to Molly's visits, residents of The Hawthorns have two pet budgies and enjoyed frequent visits from a registered PAT (Pets as Therapy) dog, a Labrador named Rosie.
