The Dean Neurological Centre recently welcomed some VIP visitors with a difference.
While animals such as horses and dogs regularly form part of the therapeutic activities and input offered at the service, the visit was the first time therapy penguins had been invited to visit the Gloucestershire service.
Penguins Pringle and Widget were welcomed after a suggestion was raised as a wellbeing initiative at a recent staff engagement forum. Their visit was a huge success with staff and the people supported at the centre both enjoying interacting with the penguins.
Sarah Baker, Operations Manager at The Dean said: “When the suggestion was made to invite the therapy penguins to visit us, we knew it would be something that would be both entertaining and therapeutic for everyone at the centre.
“It was lovely to see so many people really enjoying spending time with them. They were very calming.
“While we’ve previously welcomed Lollipop Ponies and dogs for therapeutic visits, this was the first visit from penguins. Seeing how popular they were and the great benefits everyone got from interacting with them, it may be something we look to repeat in the future.”