Residents had the chance to interact with soft and scaly creatures at the annual Pet Therapy day.

Featuring lizards, baby chicks, a piglet, a horse, a black-headed python and “pugs by the thousands”, residents got to see it all.

The concept is the brainchild of Damian Grauls.

He said staff and family members of residents brought in their pets for a day of social interaction.

“This is the third time we’ve done it,” Mr Grauls said.

Mr Grauls works for Sodexo, a company which provides hospitality services such as cleaning and laundry to the nursing home.

Sodexo operations director Paul Dimmock said the day made a positive difference to residents.

“Damian wanted to do something for the residents so Bishop Tyrrell staff and our staff began to bring in their pets.

“It gets residents out of their rooms and gives them something that engages them.

“We’re all about giving them a good quality of life and it’s fantastic to see the impact it has on all the residents,” Mr Dimmock said.

Mr Dimmock indicated the concept could be implemented at other nursing homes.

Residents and their families also enjoyed live music, a barbecue and face painting on the day.