RICHMOND Staff and residents were delighted to have some extra special visitors today at the Retirement Village in Painswick.

Wish and Monet two miniature ponies from KL Pony Therapy had travelled all the way from Darlington to visit residents in their apartments and to join in the Summer Party celebrations in the care home.

Suzanne Varah, the activity co-ordinator said 'The ponies went down a storm on Friday. They brought a smile to everyone’s face. People came out of their suites especially to see and stroke Wish who is seven years old. A comment from one of the residents in Assisted Living was “There was a knock on the door and stood outside was this delightful miniature pony, this was such a lovely surprise”.

Later the other pony Monet who is three years old went into the care wing where he visited those residents that are unable to leave their rooms. The joy they brought was visible and definitely well worth doing.'

Katy who brought the ponies said she had never been anywhere where the residents and staff were so welcoming and appreciative.

She said it brought tears to her eyes.

Both ponies were very well behaved on their visit.

However Monet left a little deposit in the reception area prior to leaving, much to the amusement of staff and residents.

A big thank you to Katy for sharing her ponies with Richmond Painswick.