Geckos, tortoises and snakes oh my! at Franklin Gardens

By Paul Forman

Although they weren’t lions, tigers or bears, wise eyes lit up with childlike wonder at Franklin Gardens Long Term Care Home as residents were entertained by the creatures of Zoo2You on June 7.

Nelly Deslippe, the Director of Programs and Support Services at the Leamington home, shared that the residents have always had a great time with the touring animals and this was the third visit by Mike Testani of Zoo2You.

“It’s such a great time for our residents,” said Deslippe. “They are so happy when they have snakes curl around their necks and they end up kissing the animals with excitement.”

The overflow crowd was engaged in the hands-on opportunities with Testani’s offerings, albeit on a scaled down level as air quality issues outside negated the larger plans on the care home’s back lawn.

Resident Rick Evans was front and centre as he took the role of assistant

zookeeper and kindly brought many of the animals around to fellow residents for an up-close and personal view.

Another resident, Jeannine Lacorciere, was very much looking forward to handling the snakes and showed no fear as she took great delight with both the corn snake and python.

Deslippe indicated that this event will be brought back next year and hopefully will get the residents out and about without any issues from distant wildfires.

Mike Testani from Zoo2You hands over five-year-old Sheldon the tortoise to resident Rick Evans. SUN photo by Paul Forman

Franklin Gardens resident Jeannine Lacorciere was glowing as she bravely let a corn snake adorn her like a scarf. SUN photo by Paul Forman