A Upton Priory care village has had their residents make friends with animals.

Belong Macclesfield welcomed 13 cuddly critters and creatures visited to the care village on Kennedy Avenue.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, animal-assisted interventions can improve self-esteem and confidence in people with dementia.

And it is not every day you see a guinea pig in a place of work, so their presence was also a morale boost to staff.

Brenda Ridgeway bonds with a scaly friend, and Anna Provart, owner of Inspiring Animal Therapy Macclesfield.

Macclesfield-based CIC Inspiring Animal Therapy made the short trip to Belong to offer their services to both Belong residents and employees.

Anna Seaton, experience coordinator at Belong Macclesfield, said: "It was lovely to see the happiness the animals brought to our customers." 

"They loved spending time with our little visitors and the session conjured up many joyful memories of pets they once owned, and they delighted in sharing these personal stories with the group. Everybody left with smiles on their faces." 

Reptiles, furries and hounds all were there to share the love.

The animals that attended were:

• Two guinea pigs called Malti and Coco
• Three rabbits called Blue, Doug and Mabel
• Three mice called Blossom, Batsy and Bambi
• Three Chinchillas called Shadow, Cloud and Rainbow
• One Lizard called Spike
• And last but certainly not least, a gorgeous dog called Lilo 

Inspiring Animal Therapy CIC is a community interest company who delivers animal assisted therapy to individuals of all ages.

According to their website: "Throughout animal therapy people can gain confidence, build trust, improve self esteem and happiness. Being with animals can help people practice empathy and develop authentic connections."

"Research shows that Animal therapy is effective for treating a range of conditions like depression, anxiety, and/or trauma-related symptoms, as well as ADHD, autism, dissociative disorders, and other mental health diagnoses.

"It reduces anxiety and depression through physiological changes."

Animals don't judge people based on their appearance or their condition. Then people feel accepted and unconditionally loved.

Studies show that animal-assisted therapy reduces cortisol, the stress hormone. In addition, spending time with animals lowers blood pressure. It increases the release of oxytocin, a natural chemical that promotes feelings of positivity and connection.

The animal therapy event occurred in the same week that Belong Macclesfield celebrated their 16th anniversary.

For more details about Belong Macclesfield and their services, please click HERE.

Macclesfield: For more information both animals and dementia, please click HERE.

Belong Macclesfield are currently hiring. Please click the red link below for more information.

Belong Macclesfield have also announced a slew of new jobs this week. Please click HERE for a way to browse all vacancies.

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