Ponies dressed as reindeer have sprinkled their magic over elderly residents who can often feel lonely at Christmas.
Huckleberry and DJ wandered the halls of Carramar Nursing Home with tinsel sparkling and bells jingling.
Christmas can often be a difficult time for elderly people in nursing homes and those living with dementia.
The special ponies worked hard to connect with residents they instinctively knew would benefit from a kind nuzzle or a cheery neigh at the Dementia Living Community.
Founder of Positive Pathway Lifeskills Suellen Brook has worked with horses and with people of special needs for many years and knows the special bond and impact they can have.
“Horses and ponies can make a connection with people that runs very deeply”, Ms Brook said.
“I have seen it time and again in the courses I run where these special creatures work their magic in being able to connect with some of the most disconnected people, and it’s from there that the magic starts to happen.
“This is why we do what we do. The gift these little ponies will leave is more precious than any gift you could give, and at Christmas time to bring happiness and joy to another person is so personally rewarding.”
Suellen takes two of her best ponies to visit the elderly which she says is one of the most satisfying days of the year.
“While all the work we do is rewarding, it is really beautiful to brighten the day of someone who may be isolated because of their dementia. Often ponies bring back memories from when they were very young and it is beautiful to see people just come alive when they visit,” she said.
Carramar Noosa Care diversional therapist Craig Barnes said it was the second time they had visited “and the impact is immediate”.
“Words can never explain how deeply the connect of human/animal interaction can run. You see it it in their eyes and it is truly joyous to watch someone who normally doesn’t interact a lot really become engaged.”
