RESIDENTS at a Musselburgh care home were delighted to meet special visitors – two miniature Shetland ponies.

Wilson, aged 12, and eight-year-old Flicker, from Therapy Ponies Scotland, delighted folk at St Anne’s, in Windsor Gardens, last week.

Maureen Goodfellow, the care home’s activities coordinator, said: “Our residents, families and staff absolutely loved them.

“They met every one of our residents and got lovely conversations and smiles from everyone.

“We were absolutely delighted to see them, relatives, families and staff all being so involved.

“The smiles and interaction from our residents was amazing.”

East Lothian Courier: Meeting the ponies proved a fun experience for everyone at St Anne's including Jim Glen who is pictured with FlickerMeeting the ponies proved a fun experience for everyone at St Anne's including Jim Glen who is pictured with Flicker

The duo arrived with their owners, John and Elaine Sangster, from Whitburn in West Lothian, on their first visit to the care home.

Elaine said: “We travel around Scotland visiting care homes, nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, day care centres and any disabled facilities with our little miniature Shetland ponies.

“Our boys are able to use lifts to reach upper levels if required and, of course, wear their woopsie daisy bags just in case so there is no mess of any description!

“The reaction we get from people is incredible.

“Sometimes the carers are overwhelmed when they hear a resident, who maybe hasn’t spoken for a few months, chatting to us about the ponies.

“It’s amazing what these little ponies can do.”