A Banbury care home was transformed into a pet haven for an afternoon for a former pet shop owner who lives at the home.
Kathleen Robbins, 92, ran Aquaria & Pet Supplies for 14 years after a friend encouraged her due to her fondness for animals.
This time, instead of tending to her customers, she delighted in spending time with creatures from Lucia’s Tiny Farm.
Highmarket House resident Ms Robbins said: "I absolutely loved working in the shop.
"I made lots of friends – you always had regulars who came in weekly who you got to know really well.
"We used to have a shop parrot, Olly, who would call me ‘Mrs R’ and make sure I was serving customers, telling me to ‘behave myself’ or ‘get on with it’."
Home manager Francesca Cowley said: "The visit was especially meaningful for Kathleen, who has many treasured memories from her time running a local pet shop – she was delighted to meet the animals, and enjoyed exchanging stories with other residents of their own experiences.
"Animal therapy is a fantastic way to encourage a sense of purpose and promote relaxation, especially for older people, and having them visit always puts a smile on residents’ faces.
"I’d like to extend a big thank you to the team for arranging a lovely afternoon for all involved, and especially to Lucia for bringing her lovely Tiny Farm into our home."
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