A visit to a Leeds hospice earlier this month touched the hearts of healthcare workers and patients alike, as a llama and alpaca made a special appearance at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley to meet patients.
The therapy animals, Tobie (llama) and Gary (alpaca), were brought along by Nidderdale Llamas and spread smiles and joy to all who met them as they petted the pair. The visit was arranged at the request of a patient receiving care at the Sue Ryder hospice, with all patients and visitors offered the opportunity to meet the animals.
Beryl (pictured above with Gary) was one of the patients who enjoyed the visit: “I thought the experience was very calming and relaxing.”. Beryl’s daughter: “I am so grateful for the opportunity for Mum to be in such close proximity with the llama and alpaca in the clover garden at the hospice. Mum has not been outside for three days and this visit gave her the motivation, and me the extra reason, to encourage her to go outside. We were outside together for some time afterwards, with Mum in her wheelchair, enjoying the quiet space, the plants, the flowers and the trees.”
Sammy Tiffany is the Therapy Team Manager at the hospice. Sammy (pictured above with Tobie and Gary) : “Pet therapy at the hospice is invaluable, because whatever our patients and their family and friends might be going through, it takes them away from it all for a while. Pet therapy can help with motor skills, can bring back memories and help start conversations. It was really humbling to see so many of our patients stroking and talking to the pair. It was lovely to see some of our hospice staff, who work so tirelessly to provide their expert and compassionate care, enjoying some of the animal magic too. Thank you to the team at Nidderdale Llamas and to everyone at the hospice who helped make this visit possible. What we have witnessed here today is something really special and has made precious memories.”
To find out more about Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice visit sueryder.org/wheatfields
To find out more about Nidderdale Llamas visit nidderdalellams.org
Main image: Gary the alpaca.
