Visit from the “Guvnor” a hit at Bolton Clarke Rowes Bay

Residents at Bolton Clarke’s Rowes Bay residential community in Townsville were recently treated to a very special visit from a young Clydesdale horse. 

The horse, nicknamed Guvnor, walked around the gardens of the community where residents could watch or come up for a pat.

The Rowes Bay community has many residents who have come from rural and farming properties and love the opportunity to meet farm animals and reminisce about their own experiences.

Retirement Village Manager Nicole McInnes said Guvnor is owned by a daughter of a village resident and will be a regular visitor to the retirement village and residential aged care community for residents to enjoy.

“The owner was delighted she could come to the community and said it was a really lovely experience to introduce Guvnor to all the residents,” she said. “It certainly put smiles on everyone’s faces”.

Many Bolton Clarke communities use Pet Therapy with their residents and choose the animals based on resident backgrounds and specific needs. Regional communities often find great success using farm animals, while inner city communities use domestic animals.

Pet therapy can be particularly beneficial for people with dementia and other cognitive impairments and can improve social, emotional and cognitive outcomes. Animals visit in a safe space where residents can play, pat or simply sit back and watch – the level of involvement is up to them.