BBC
Dublin
Nursing homes in County Antrim have been attracting an unusual breed of visitors in recent months - donkeys. The visits have become a form of therapy, with the animals used to cheer up residents and encourage positive thinking.
Bringing a donkey indoors can be problematic, especially after it has just had its lunch. In case of any “accidents”, a large bucket is positioned towards the rear of the animal and it is moved with every step the donkey takes. Fortunately, the bucket is seldom required. One of the places visited by the donkeys is Clareview nursing home in Ballyclare.
Activity therapist Alannah Lynas said: “We find that the residents love having them around and stroking them. There are great therapeutic benefits.
“A lot of people here used to have horses and donkeys when they were younger, so it brings back good memories. “It definitely cheers them up.