Enrolled nurse Jenny Lopes brought some welcome spring sunshine into the Kiwi Wing of Enliven’s Brightwater Home recently when she came into work with extra helpers – three sweet baby lambs.
Jenny recently adopted five lambs from a farm in Shannon and brought them to live on her lifestyle block.
The three four-week-old lambs that visited were named Marie, Tiny and Ralph. Marie and Tiny were chosen because they were small and cute and easy for the residents to hold and feed. Ralph came along too because he is especially cuddly and loves the attention, says who??
The lambs stayed at Brightwater Home for the whole day and were free to wander out into the secure garden area of the home’s specialised dementia unit.
“It’s wonderful to see our residents and staff having a cuddle and bottle feeding the lambs,” says recreation officer Rose Fowler.
“Whenever animals come into our home our residents light up. What an amazing start to spring!
Brightwater Home manager Christine Tester says having animals, such as lambs, come to visit the home is a valuable part of supporting an elder-centred community that enables positive aging – which is a core philosophy at all Enliven homes.
“Many of our residents come from farming backgrounds and holding a soft, warm animal that smells good reminds them of life on the farm,” says Christine.
Brightwater Home and Village is operated by Enliven, part of the not-for-profit organisation Presbyterian Support Central. It offers independent retirement living, hospital, dementia and palliative care. To learn more, visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz or call 06 356 4190.
