VIDEO: Donkeys Snoop and Albert return to being Christmas joy for patients at Weldmar’s Inpatient Unit

It is one of the highlights of the year at Weldmar Hospicecare’s Inpatient Unit in Dorchester – a visit from miniature donkeys, Snoop and Albert.

The pair belong to the family who run Trinity Street Christmas Trees, and they brought them along to see patients and their visitors, and those attending our Wellbeing Sessions.

Weldmar’s team of staff and visitors were also lining up to stroke them and give them treats! Here are some highlights of their visit:

Senior Sister Emma Mills says, “It brings lots of joy at Christmas time. They really do bring a buzz to the Inpatient Unit. Even just being in bed or sitting and watching them, they can be very therapeutic for those patients who are staying with us. There’s quite a lot of laughter, because they don’t always do what we want them to do! Everyone gets excited from the moment they find out the date the donkeys are visiting, and this year in particular the patients absolutely loved it. It really lifts people’s sprits.”

Emma Mansell, Receptionist and Administrator at the Inpatient Unit, adds, “It’s a lovely surprise for patients, and many of their family members came in specifically during the time that the donkeys would be here, because they wanted to see them too! It’s also a real highlight of the year for the staff. We love donkey day!”

Our thanks to Trinity Street Christmas Trees for bringing Snoop and Albert to visit! We are working with them once again on our Christmas Treecycle, where you can get your real Christmas tree collected in January, for a suggested donation of just £10 to Weldmar. Book your collection here!