Alpacas bring cheer to residents at Norfolk care home

Dogs, birds of prey and donkeys have become popular visitors to care settings, but residents at a Norfolk care home have just discovered the therapeutic qualities of a far more exotic species alpacas. 

These special visitors - more associated with South America than south Norfolk - were brought to Oaklands Care Home, near Diss, by Tom Boggan owner of Wymondham Alpacas. 

His enterprise is based at Centre Paws at Barnards Farm. 

People can book “alpaca experiences”, which include a walk with the animals around the farm, and Mr Boggan has now started care home visits. 

He said: “They are fantastic animals that have a natural calming effect. People who go on the walks remark on how relaxing it is. 

“Oaklands was only my fifth care home visit because of the months of lockdown, but it is amazing to see the happiness the alpacas bring. 

Find out more about Oaklands care home

Author: Stephen Pullinger