Ont. seniors’ home adopts pair of ducklings for animal therapy program
A long-term care home in Fergus, Ont. has adopted two ducklings as part of an animal therapy program to give its residents a sense of purpose.
The ducklings -- named Sunny and Night because of their colouring -- were born on May 26 and arrived at Wellington Terrace the same day.
“We’ve been looking after them ever since,” said recreational therapist Caitlyn Cheyne.
Wellington Terrace has been trying to incorporate more animal interactions into their programming.
“We wanted to use [the ducklings] to reignite a sense of purpose and responsibility for our residents who are living in long-term care,” Cheyne said. “Our residents raise them and watch them grow. They take care of them by changing their cage, feeding them, making sure they have food and water, watching them grow. They’ll also do research in the beginning of the process to see what we need.”
Ducklings Sunny and Night are the newest temporary residents at Wellington Terrace in Fergus, Ont. as part of an animal therapy program. (Stefanie Davis/CTV Kitchener)
Although the most common therapy animals are dogs or cats, Cheyne said the ducklings provide a sense of nostalgia for some residents.
“Most people living in long-term care, especially in this rural area, would have had animals throughout their lives. Whether they were on a farm or they just had a dog, or if they showed animals, it’s a nice connection for them,” Cheyne explained.
Marjorie Walser, a resident of Wellington Terrace, grew up on an acreage with a variety of animals. She said having the ducklings reminds her of her youth.
“I knew some things about the animals, but not everything,” Walser said. “This is very educational and very soothing to us because we can go and look at them and hear them chirping and everything. I think the residents really, really enjoy it.”
Wellington Terrace resident Marjorie Walser holds Night, the therapy duckling, in Fergus, Ont. (Stefanie Davis/CTV Kitchener)
Since getting the animals one week ago, Cheyne said she’s noticed a difference around Wellington Terrace.
“A lot of the residents are looking for ways to contribute to the home - they want to help out,” she explained. “We’re also seeing it’s helping to reduce boredom and isolation because it brings residents out of their room, gets them connecting with other residents and staff in the building. It just is a mood booster in general, even for staff. Everyone just loves having animals around -- especially baby animals.”
Wellington Terrace got the ducklings through the RiverBound Farm Duckling Program. Cheyne said they will likely return the ducklings after six weeks, which is one of the options offered through the program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.