The Ark day service in Nottingham had a pair of special visitors when Humboldt penguins Pringle and Widget stopped by.
Amazing Animals, which provides animal actors for tv and film productions, brought the cheeky duo to Salutem Care and Education’s The Ark as part of the day services packed activities scheduled to support the wellbeing of adults with learning disabilities and complex needs.
Accompanied by their handler, the playful penguins met with individuals supported by the Ark, receiving strokes and attention, and delivering a lot of laughs with their waddling walk and cheeky behaviour.
The interaction between the residents and the penguins highlighted the therapeutic benefits of animal-assisted activities in support settings, fostering engagement and creating lasting memories.
Grace Radford, Service Manager at The Ark, said: “It was amazing to have Pringle and Widget visit us. The people who use our services benefit massively from new and interesting experiences, and it’s not every day you get to meet a penguin!
“Bringing animals into a setting like ours has proven to have numerous therapeutic benefits. The joy and excitement on the faces as people interacted with the penguins were incredibly rewarding. This visit was a perfect example of how we strive to create meaningful and joyful experiences for those we support.”
Barbara Marquez, penguin handler from Amazing Animals, also shared her delight: “Pringle and Widget are wonderful ambassadors for their species. It’s heartwarming to see the positive impact they have wherever they go. The best part of my job is seeing how much joy they bring to people, and today has definitely been one of the best days I’ve had at work!”
“Providing unusual experiences like this are invaluable,” Grace Radford added “They not only bring happiness but also stimulate sensory and cognitive functions.”
