A Very Special Visitor at Wallacetown Gardens
The residents of Wallacetown Gardens are well known for being animal enthusiasts.
Over the years, the home has welcomed everything from rabbits and guinea pigs to dogs and even a llama, so there’s rarely a dull moment when it comes to animal visits.
A particular highlight last summer was the weekly visits from Honeybea Farm, whose ponies quickly became firm favourites. Staff noticed just how much residents benefitted from these sessions, so when Wallacetown’s own domestic assistant Kaleigh let slip that she had a pony of her own at home, it wasn’t long before Matilda was trotting along to Wallacetown Gardens.
Kayleigh described Matilda as “a calm and gentle soul, perfectly suited to new places and people”. On her visit, residents headed out into the garden to meet her, where she lived up to her reputation.
“The horse was wonderful! I used to feed the horses every Sunday when I was younger so it brought back nice memories for me,” said Phillip.
Resident Donna agreed, adding: “It was lovely! It was a very settled horse. I enjoyed feeding it.”
While most residents were able to meet Matilda outdoors, some were unable to leave their rooms, but this wasn’t a hurdle for the calm and confident pony. Matilda took it all in her stride, happily walking through the home alongside Kaleigh to make sure no one missed out on meeting her. Resident Billy couldn’t stop smiling during his personal visit, while Adele and Stephen were especially delighted to spend time with her.
Animal visits are a much-loved part of life at Wallacetown Gardens. Every Wednesday, residents look forward to a visit from Gizzy the therapy dog, whose time at Wallacetown is always thoroughly enjoyed. These visits are a firm favourite with our residents, they spark conversation, strengthen connections and bring back fond memories, while creating plenty of new ones too. Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, encourage communication, and promote a sense of calm and wellbeing. For many residents, the opportunity to spend time with animals like Matilda or Gizzy provides comfort, companionship and a welcome boost to mood and confidence.
Moments like Matilda’s visit showcase perfectly what makes Wallacetown Gardens a fantastic place to live and work: staff and residents coming together to create meaningful experiences. By sharing a part of her own life, Kaleigh helped make an ordinary day extraordinary.
Wallacetown Gardens is a purpose-built care home in Ayr, designed to provide exceptional support for adults aged 18–65 with a range of life-limiting conditions. With 20 modern ensuite rooms across two floors, outdoor spaces, spacious communal areas and a dedicated minibus for outings, it is more than just a care home, it’s a place where residents can lead fulfilling lives in a supportive and empowering environment.
For more information, please visit us at:
https://www.enhancescotland.co.uk/wallacetown-gardens
or get in touch via email at wallacetown.admin@enhancescotland.co.uk
