75-year-old New Plymouth woman Diann Wyatt has recently been spending her days with an unusual companion.
Wyatt has lived at the Radius Care rest home in New Plymouth for the last three years and has never participated in activities or socialised with other residents. That is until a six-week-old, black pet lamb named Woolimina arrived.
When the friendly lamb was brought into the rest home, Radius Care staff said Wyatt instantly lit up with excitement.
“I was one of the first to play with her – she’s just the bees knees. We never had pets at home and I’d never picked up an animal in my life before,” Wyatt said.
“I’ve always been happy with my own company and I like reading. But when Woolimina is here I just want to be around her all the time.”
Activities co-ordinator Helen Baverstock said the change in Wyatt’s mood was surprising and the inclusion of animals in the retirement home has brought positive results.
“They are able to give people something we can’t; everyone needs someone to love and animals can provide that, they don’t feel threatened by them,” Baverstock said.
“Some of the residents have cats, another has a dog and our manager brings her dog in most days. We find animals reduce stress, our residents are happier and more relaxed around them.”
Radius Care is hoping to continue to bring Woolimina into the home and said the lamb loves the attention.
“She’s a very lucky black lamb and I reckon she thinks she’s a person too, she just wants to be around people.”
