Kernow House care home, in Launceston was full of animal love on Friday when Dude, the rescue pony came to visit the home.

Residents at Kernow House were pleasantly surprised to see their new friend walking around their garden and car park as Hazel Ashman and Dude, who is a five year old Shetland cross Dartmoor pony from The Hugs Foundation paid a visit. The foundation is a little charity that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes ponies and horses.

General manager Leigh Stanley said: “Our residents have really enjoyed their visitor today. We knew that having a pony here would be a bit of fun for all our residents, especially as some find it difficult to go on many outings in our minibus.  We are always looking for new activities for the residents and today we have seen the enjoyment and the therapeutic influence animals can have on people.”

Resident Tanya was very pleased to see Dude: “I had all kinds of animals when I was a child. I think it’s nice when we have things like this here. It’s good for people.”