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July 2010
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Monkey business is defended By Dominic Musgrave A POOLE care home owner has defended her decision to arrange for a captive monkey and two penguins to visit the residents. Around 50 people packed a room at Kingland House to meet and handle the creatures from Oxfordshire-based Amazing Animals, a company which owns and trains animals for film, TV, advertising and still photography. But the decision to book Dougie the monkey, who appeared alongside Johnny Depp in promotional shots for the Pirates of the Caribbean films, and miniature penguins, Charlie and Ferrari, received criticism from conservationists. Joy Birkett, who owns the home with her husband,claims that there has been a massive over reaction. She added: “The visit gave the residents so much pleasure, and their faces lit up when they saw the animals arrive. It is disappointing that something nice we have done for our residents has received so much criticism. The residents love animals but cannot get to the zoo, and we have a wide variety such as PAT dogs, rescued greyhounds and donkeys from a nearby sanctuary
coming to visit us, as a lot of homes do because they have such therapeutic benefits. “It was all done in good fun and there was no signs of any cruelty to the animals. If was any sign then we wouldn’t have allowed them into the home.” The visit was arranged by the home’s activities co-ordinator Pauline Gold after she saw the company featured on a TV programme with Alan Titchmarsh. But conservationists claim the monkey could carry and be susceptible to disease and the conditions of the nursing home would not have been ideal for the two penguins. Jim Clubb, of Amazing Animals, said: “We are a responsible company and all of our animals are regularly screened because they are trained to be in regular content with humans. If we didn’t have these things done we wouldn’t be able to get insurance.” The animals were handled by residents on the visit and alcohol gel was available to disinfect their hands. An RSPCA spokesman added: “We would be concerned if such visits increase stress levels or cause unnecessary disturbance to animals. The animals’ welfare must be paramount.”
Cruising theme for home
Fiona Phillips was the guest host of the Great British Care Home Awards at the Guildhall, London. The television personality, best known for presenting GMTV, announced the 12 category winners at the event, which celebrated excellence in social care and paid tribute to those who work in the sector. For a round-up of the night see Page 22
A WARWICKSHIRE care home has taken residents on the journey of a lifetime without them leaving the comfort of their own chair. Staff at the Four Acres in Studley arranged a virtual cruise week of events, which involved the dining room being transformed into a ship for five different countries’ themed evenings. Manager Jill Turley said: “Most of our residents are unable to get away for a holiday, so we decided to do a virtual cruise. Staff and relatives joined in by dressing up in local attire, and menus were designed to reflect cuisine, culture and languages of the countries visited.” Residents enjoyed Tapas served by a Spanish waiter, accompanied with music and instruments, when they ‘visited’ Spain, before stopping off in Naples, Istanbul – where residents enjoyed Turkish dancing – and Bridgetown port Barbados, with a Caribbean chef and limbo dancing. For the grand finale all the residents were invited to the captain’s table, with black tie dress code.