RESIDENTS at a Wee County care home were given a special treat last month when they received a visit from some Shetland ponies.

Staff at Beechwood invited Therapy Ponies Scotland to bring their pets into the centre in Sauchie as part of the regular events that they have going on.

Once a week the residents get a visit from therapy dogs who go around everyone receiving cuddles – much to the delight of the residents.

According to Lisa, an activities co-ordinator at the care home, the visits are an important part of the week for the patients as it helps relieve stress and generally relax them.

For a change from the weekly dog visit, the ponies were asked in and brought a little job to all – staff and patients included.

Lisa said: "It was excellent. Everyone really enjoyed it. They [the residents] were completely amazed by it, I suppose it's not every day you see a pony in your room after all.

"Even the ones who stay in bed got the chance to meet them and loved it. Everyone got a chance to clap the animals.

"It was arranged by someone who visits with the therapy dogs and we thought it would be a really good idea."

Although there aren't many differences to the reaction between dogs and ponies, Lisa says the residents to seem to be that bit happier when the Shetlands walk in because it's more of a surprise for them.

She said: "It is all pretty much the same reaction and benefits, but they do seem to be happier because they come a lot less often. The point of the visits is to relax them."

The care home don't have any more special treats planned apart from the zoo lab visiting in November, which will bring a whole array of creatures for the residents to get up close and personal with.

Zoo lab is one of the UK's leading animal handling experience and learning company and can bring animals such as snakes, spiders, lizards and tortoises to show the residents.