Precious penguins spread joy during visit with elderly residents

By Lauren Beavis

Adorable photos show penguins visiting residents in a care home.

Old folk were treated to a "truly memorable day" when two Humboldt penguins waddled in.

Pringle and Widget "delighted" residents, families and colleagues at The Lakes Care Centre in Cirencester., Glos.

Resident Pat, said: "It’s been years since I saw anything like that, it was lovely, brought a tear to my eye."

Another resident, Karen, said: "We thought someone was pulling our leg and then they waddled in!"

Many residents were able to help feed the penguins, ask questions to their handler, and learn more about their natural habitat and fascinating behaviours.

Nikkie Millar, Home Manager at The Lakes Care Centre, said: “We are so grateful to have been able to offer our residents such a wonderful and unusual experience.

"Seeing their faces light up as Pringle and Widget waddled through the home was truly heartwarming."

Mark, another care home resident, said he felt "very privileged" to hold the birds.

He said: "They felt so soft."

Nikkie explained how animal visits are well known to spark conversation, stimulate memories and promote wellbeing - particularly for older people and those living with dementia.

She said: "Experiences like this make such a difference to wellbeing.

"They spark conversation, bring back happy memories, and create new ones too.

"We are always looking for meaningful ways to enrich the lives of our residents, and this was certainly a day filled with joy.”

Pringle and Widget are multi-generation captive-bred Humboldt Penguins accustomed to human interaction.

They have experience appearing at events and educational visits.

Hannah from Amazing Animals added: “Our Humboldt Penguins are used to regular human contact and are very comfortable in care home environments.

"We believe that bringing these incredible birds to residents in care homes, hospices and hospitals creates special moments of joy, reminiscence and connection.

"Pringle and Widget are always at the front of the queue to visit - they’re wonderful ambassadors and are well known across the care home sector.”