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Cute Easter lambs in nappies visit Harrier Lodge care home in Whitstable

Elderly residents at a care home were ewe-phoric to meet and cuddle adorable newborn Easter lambs.

Lambs wearing babies' nappies flocked to Harrier Lodge care home in Whitstable to "light up the faces" of those living there.

Pat and Margaret also enjoyed seeing the little sheep. Picture: Harrier Lodge
Pat and Margaret also enjoyed seeing the little sheep. Picture: Harrier Lodge

The trio of sheep named Buster, Beryl and Bert are sock lambs, meaning they are bottle-fed.

Charmed residents said the lambs, who were from a farm in Postling near Hythe, were "absolutely gorgeous" and they "didn't want to give them back".

One resident, Mags, said at the time: "She is absolutely gorgeous, I could just cuddle her all day.

Resident Anita with one of the lambs. Picture: Harrier Lodge
Resident Anita with one of the lambs. Picture: Harrier Lodge
Shelia cuddling a lamb at the Whitstable care home. Picture: Harrier Lodge
Shelia cuddling a lamb at the Whitstable care home. Picture: Harrier Lodge

"I want her to stay with me forever."

One of the pensioners, also called Beryl, was excited to hear one of the woolly visitors shared her name.

The group got to hold and cuddle the lambs, who were just one to two weeks old.

Amy Gullett, customer relations manager at Harrier Lodge, said: “Residents had a lovely surprise following a visit from some lovely lambs on Thursday.

"One of the residents said ‘what a lovely surprise, it’s exciting to see new life!’

"Residents were able to stroke them and give them cuddle, which was very therapeutic for them.

Beryl, one of the lambs who visited the home in Whitstable
Beryl, one of the lambs who visited the home in Whitstable
Three lambs in nappies were taken to Harrier Lodge in Whitstable to delight elderly residents. Picture: Harrier Lodge
Three lambs in nappies were taken to Harrier Lodge in Whitstable to delight elderly residents. Picture: Harrier Lodge

"It was lovely to see their faces when the lambs walked into the lounge. They erupted with ‘awws!’

"Animal therapy plays a huge part in residents’ wellbeing and to see their smiles and hear the conversations the visit elicited proves that."

A group named Cuddle Club, which usually takes dogs into care homes across east Kent, organised the visit.

Head of the scheme Lesley Hutt told KentOnline: "What we do is really rewarding.

"It's amazing to see the smiles on the residents' faces."

Residents got to cuddle the lambs at the care home in Whitstable. Picture: Harrier Lodge
Residents got to cuddle the lambs at the care home in Whitstable. Picture: Harrier Lodge
One resident said the lambs were 'absolutely gorgeous'. Picture: Harrier Lodge
One resident said the lambs were 'absolutely gorgeous'. Picture: Harrier Lodge

The animal therapy the group provides benefits many lonely or isolated elderly people.

The 55-year-old explained: "Some who don't communicate start talking to the animals and it really brings them out of their shell."

Selina Ruane picked up the young rams and ewe from the farm and took them to Harrier Lodge.

She said: "The residents' faces lit up when they saw them.

"They really enjoyed nurturing and cuddling them.

Residents at Harrier Lodge care home in Whitstable enjoyed seeing new born lambs. Picture: Harrier Lodge
Residents at Harrier Lodge care home in Whitstable enjoyed seeing new born lambs. Picture: Harrier Lodge
The lambs were from a farm in Postling and wore nappies around the care home. Picture: Harrier Lodge
The lambs were from a farm in Postling and wore nappies around the care home. Picture: Harrier Lodge
Selina Ruane, how brought the lambs to the care home, with Beryl and Buster
Selina Ruane, how brought the lambs to the care home, with Beryl and Buster

"Some of the lambs fell asleep in their laps.

"Families of the residents visited and said how nice it was to see them happy.

"It was a big success but one lamb, Bert, did wee in the corner!"

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