Alpacas pay visit to Oaklands Care Home in Scole

Dogs, birds of prey and donkeys have become popular visitors to care settings but residents at Oaklands Care Home, in Scole, have just discovered the therapeutic qualities of far more exotic species – alpacas.

The visitors, more associated with South America than south Norfolk, were taken along by Tom Boggan, who launched his ‘alpaca experience’ business, Wymondham Alpacas, in January last year.

Mr Boggan said: “Alpacas are fantastic animals that have a natural calming effect.

“Oaklands was only my fifth care home visit because of the months of lockdown, but it’s amazing to see the happiness the animals bring. You see the residents’ faces light up with smiles.”

Known as ‘pet therapy’, exposure to certain animals is a recognised way of calming and lifting the mood of people living with dementia.

Becky Kingsland, administrator at the Oaklands, in Norwich Road, Scole, said: “The residents absolutely loved it.

“They were all so happy and smiling and talked about it for ages afterwards. The alpacas had such a positive impact.”