Residents at Rosevale Care Home in York, England, always “benefit greatly” from pet therapy, which allows them to interact with animals.

Sarah Fearn, lifestyle and activities co-ordinator at the home, said many residents who normally spend most of the day in their rooms were eagerly interacting with others when they got the chance to stroke a pony.

“Different pets come every month into the care home,” said Sarah. It brings back memories and allows the residents—90 percent of whom suffer from dementia—”to express themselves in ways they probably wouldn’t otherwise.”