A dementia care home in Lowestoft, England has hosted a pet open day.

Harleston House allowed colleagues, relatives and friends to bring in their pets and greet the residents, with 12 dogs, two tortoises, a kitten, an owl and a pony all coming to visit.

Gareth Harding, activities co-ordinator at Harleston House, told Lowestoft journal: “It was the home’s second pet open day and it was a lovely activity to experience with the residents, the pony and the owl were great newcomers and they stole the show.”

The pet open day was inspired by residents who were keen to experience new things and seemed surprised to see a pony walking around their home – and seeing a dog bigger than the pony.

Most of the residents had never seen an owl up close and enjoyed stroking it and feeling its feathers.