Residents at a specialist West Sussex care home were thrilled to welcome a very important four-legged guest recently.
Ullswater Cottage Care Home in Pease Pottage, a specialist service supporting people with acquired brain injury and long-term neurological conditions, warmly welcomed Digby the Shetland pony, who visited with his handlers from The Little Hoof Company to meet the people they support and bring a unique sensory experience to the home.
Digby spent time in the home’s communal areas before visiting people in their individual rooms, where many enjoyed stroking his soft coat and interacting with him at their own pace.
“These visits offer something truly different for the people we support,” said Joe Patterson, Manager at Ullswater Cottage. “For individuals living with neurological conditions, meaningful sensory interactions can be incredibly therapeutic. You could see how engaging with Digby helped people relax, express themselves and connect in ways that really enriched their day.”
Tinka Allingham, Owner of The Little Hoof Company, said: “It’s always inspiring to see how these little ponies create moments of calm, curiosity and joy. We tailor every visit to the needs of each person we meet, ensuring the experience is positive, unrushed and completely centred around their comfort.”
She added: “On some visits, Digby is joined by his best friend Doug, another miniature Shetland pony. Both have wonderfully gentle temperaments, which is why they work so well in specialist care environments like Ullswater Cottage.”
Miniature Shetland ponies are exceptionally people-oriented, and Digby and Doug genuinely seem to enjoy meeting people in a variety of settings. At home, they live as cherished family ponies with plenty of outdoor space and regular enrichment, including carriage driving to help keep them active and engaged. Their handlers always prioritise their wellbeing with short sessions, rest days, and lots of positive experiences to ensure they remain relaxed and happy during visits.
The Little Hoof Company brings gentle miniature Shetland ponies to parties, care homes, schools, weddings and events across West Sussex and Surrey, creating calm, joyful and memorable experiences for people of all ages and needs.