A heartwarming visit to a Leeds hospice touched the hearts of healthcare workers and patients alike last week, as a llama and alpaca made a special appearance at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley to meet patients.
The therapy animals, Tobie and Gary, were brought along by Nidderdale Llamas and spread smiles and joy to all who met them as they petted and patted the pair.
The visit was arranged at the request of a patient receiving care at the Sue Ryder hospice, with all patients and visitors offered the opportunity to meet the animals.
Beryl (pictured) was one of the patients who enjoyed the visit, “I thought the experience was very calming and relaxing,” she shared. Beryl’s daughter added “I am so grateful for the opportunity for Mum to be in such close proximity with the llama and alpaca in the clover garden at the hospice. Mum has not been outside for three days and this visit gave her the motivation, and me the extra reason, to encourage her to go outside.”
“We were outside together for some time afterwards with Mum in her wheelchair, enjoying the quiet space, the plants, the flowers and the trees.”
Sammy Tiffany is the therapy team manager at the hospice. She said:
“Pet therapy at the hospice is invaluable, because whatever our patients and their family and friends might be going through, it takes them away from it all for a while.
“Pet therapy can help with motor skills, can bring back memories and help start conversations. It was really humbling to see so many of our patients stroking and talking to the pair.
“It was lovely to see some of our hospice staff, who work so tirelessly to provide their expert and compassionate care, enjoying some of the animal magic too.”
“Thank you to the team at Nidderdale Llamas and to everyone at the hospice who helped make this visit possible. What we have witnessed here today is something really special and has made precious memories,” she added.
To find out more about Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice visit sueryder.org/wheatfields
To find out more about Nidderdale Llamas visit nidderdalellams.org
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About Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice
At Sue Ryder, we can’t make life’s most difficult moments easy, but we can carry some of the load. For more than 70 years we have been a source of strength and specialist support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. Here at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice located in Headingley we provide a safe and reassuring hand for the people of Leeds to reach for.
From giving specialist care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time and in a way that is right for them. We seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
We can make a positive difference during even the darkest of times. Whether in the last months, weeks or days of life, or living with grief, we help people live the best life they possibly can. We are there when it matters and work inclusively with our diverse community in and around Leeds.
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