RESIDENTS at a care home in the Bradford district had some surprise visitors last week when local alpacas came to raise residents’ spirits.

The alpacas – from Baildon-based trekking company AlTreka – visited Wingfield Nursing Home in Wingfield Court, Bingley, to say hello last Friday.

They visited every resident in the home and “lit up people’s faces” and it was a “fantastic day” said organiser Sue Sroka, the home’s activities manager.

She was inspired to organise the visit after her daughter went on an alpaca trek around Baildon Moor.

The two alpacas who came for the visit were named King Kong and Luca, lifting people’s spirits at the home both residents and staff alike.

Ms Sroka said: “I’m from Baildon myself and my daughter went on a trek for her birthday, and on their Facebook they said they do visits.

“I saw a care home in London had alpacas visit and asked if they would do something similar and they said they would love to.

“It was the first time they’d visited a care home and it went down a treat, our residents loved it.

“The alpacas went to every resident in the home and did room visits for our terminally ill residents too.

“Everyone loved it, it was great seeing the smiles on their faces, particularly our residents in palliative care; to see them smiling and sitting up and be stimulated it was fantastic.

“Our residents couldn’t believe it when we told them and were a bit overwhelmed at first but when the alpacas came and they stroked their necks it was really therapeutic, they were such calm and gentle animals.”

Wingfield Nursing Home caters for the over 65s, including some with disabilities and on end of life care, and following the success of the visit more treats for residents are planned.

“We’ll be having the alpacas back,” Ms Sroka added, “and AlTreka also have miniature ponies so we are planning on having them to visit later this year in the summer.”

Alpacas originate from South America and are similar to llamas, but smaller in stature, and are now domesticated and reared all over the world, including at AlTreka in Green Lane, Baildon.

The family run trekking centre takes people out on alpacas around Baildon Moor, taking in the Bradford district’s stunning views and learning more about the history of the curious mammals and how they are cared for.

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