Two Little Pigs Surprise Aged Care Residents

These pigs (named Boris and Pumba) provide aged care residents with love, affection and endless surprises.

Many of the residents in this American aged care home are living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

The pigs’ owner Erin Brinkley-Burgardt says that some of the residents are a little sceptical of the pigs at first but very quickly warm up to them.

“Boris and Pumba make their way around the halls in a little green wagon. If usually just takes the first person to warm up – then everyone else is like ‘oh, okay! I’ll try it!’” she said.

Elle Fore oversees resident activities at the aged care home and says, “Animals in general are pretty magical and it brings out a side of the residents that you don’t see in other activities.”

Therapy animals are a great support for people living with dementia. Studies have shown that having an animal around can significantly decrease anxiety in older people with dementia and help them regain the desire to socialise.

Usually these animals are dogs and sometimes rabbits - therapy pigs are not as common, but after watching the video below, maybe they should be!

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