Uniting Elizabeth Gates have recently welcomed three donkeys and a cavoodle, joining the already diverse collection of animals at the residential care home.
Over time, the home has had sheep, alpacas and house cats, while currently they have chickens, ducks, rabbits, cockatiels, fish and horses, and are hoping in the future to get some miniature cows and teacup pigs.
“Studies have shown that animal therapy is really good in particular for residents living with dementia because it’s calming and increases engagement,” Service Manager Julia Morgan said.
“We are on quite a large footprint here with lots of land and the demographic of our residents is miners or agricultural backgrounds, so it helps to give our residents an environment that feels like home.
“We had a lady who by choice was non-verbal until we got the mini horses and then she went into reminiscing about when she was younger, how she used to ride a horse to school.”
Resident, Marie Walters, says that the animals help her to feel more at home at Elizabeth Gates.
“We had a goat at home and we were raised on goats milk, any animal, especially Ozzy, is just absolutely beautiful,” Marie said.
“I feel more at home definitely when they’re around, you’re drawn to them.”
The purchase of the donkeys was supported by Elizabeth Gates Ladies Auxiliary and Uniting Elizabeth Gates and the hope for the animals is not only to help the residents, but also form a petting zoo to help bring the community into the home.
“Once a year, we have our Elizabeth Gates fete and we’re looking to have a petting zoo which is a service we’d also like to be able to offer to primary schools and the community for a nominal fee, which just helps us to be able to pay for their feed, vet bills and upkeep,” Julia said.
“It’s just something a little bit different and unique to Elizabeth Gates to have our animals but hopefully down the track other Uniting Homes, especially those in metropolitan areas like your Sydney homes, will also be able to experience what we have here.”
