Animal Magic

1st August 2024

Animal encounters with Pets and Picasso

Close encounters with fluffy bunnies Lottie and Barney and royal python Jake the snake put a big smile on some special faces at St Luke’s specialist unit at Turnchapel this week.

For Rebecca, eight, and Sophie, five, visiting their mum Josie Hasan, the chance to meet and handle the animals, brought along for the afternoon by Anna Corwood of Pets and Picasso animal assisted therapy, were the icing on the cake of the family’s experience of St Luke’s.

The snake showstopper

For patient Morello, having Jake draped around her neck was not only a lifelong dream come true, but a treasured early birthday present.

“It made me feel so uplifted and happy and it was a lovely, lovely experience,” said Morello. “I have always wanted to do this. I’m fascinated by snakes, but I’ve never had one of my own. My husband is terrified of them!

“Jake was lovely and really light around my neck and gave me a gentle squeeze. I liked how friendly he was and unexpectedly soft and tactile. It was beautiful and I thoroughly recommend the experience.

“It was a really imaginative thing to do. I think this place pulls out all the stops. Whatever you want, you can have. When they said there were animals coming in, I requested a snake. He was definitely the showstopper for me.”

Making memories

Anna, a former community nurse who combines her love of animals and art to spread joy and encourage engagement in a variety of health and wellbeing settings, also brought along two guinea pigs and a tortoise to meet patients, visitors and staff.

She said: “I’m really excited to bring the animals to St Luke’s. End of life care is a big passion of mine, along with pets and the arts.

“Engaging with the animals affects people in so many ways. For young children, you won’t always remember going to visit your nanny in the care home, for example, but you’ll remember the day you went to see her, and you were cuddling rabbits together.

“It’s about making memories that can be cherished forever and that’s where what we do sits really nicely with St Luke’s.”

Rabbit cuddles

Patient Josie and her husband, Laith, were thrilled to see their girls interacting with the animals and feeling so relaxed in the hospice, cuddling lop-eared rabbits Lottie and Barney, and letting Jake the snake and Dolly the tortoise sit on their laps.

Rebecca is a huge animal fan and knows a lot about them, but she and her sister don’t have any of their own at home, so it was a big treat.

“It’s been really special,” said Josie. “My St Luke’s community nurse suggested I come into the unit to get some rest and time out and that’s what I’ve done. The staff have been absolutely fantastic. They’re just so kind.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I came in and it’s been completely different to how I thought it might be. It’s a lot less scary and I feel safe here.

“They are amazing here with the girls and there’s lots for them to do. When they came in for the first time a few days ago they did painting, had ice cream and they were each given a cuddly toy.

“They even brought a little table and chairs into my room so the girls could sit and have lunch with me.

“It’s not how I wanted the summer holidays to start, with me in the hospice, but at least it’s a place where they are happy to be. They like it here. They went home extremely happy and wanting to come back again.”

Josie was going home later that day, reassured that her St Luke’s care would continue with regular visits from our community nursing team, as well as support for the whole family from St Luke’s patient and family support service team.

“You can melt most people with babies and animals!”

The Pets and Picasso visit was organised by St Luke’s nurse associate, complimentary therapy volunteer lead and animal lover Rachel Marriott, who was full of praise for Anna and her special pets.

“The patients loved it. The children loved it. It’s just such lovely therapy for everyone. I used to work in dementia care and that’s where I saw how beneficial animal therapy can be. Everyone loves to cuddle an animal – I think it’s really calming.

“You can melt most people with babies and animals!”

St Luke’s staff and volunteers were also invited to meet the animals, and some brought in their own children to enjoy the experience.

Rachel added: “The feedback from everyone has been great.”

Pets and Picasso

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