Rescued birds of prey made a flying visit to meet people who attend a monthly community get together organised by a Huddersfield-based homecare company.
Thankfully no feathers were ruffled when the team from Wise Owl Bird of Prey Rescue visited the Caremark Kirklees monthly Coffee Club in Crosland Moor.
The furry visitors included a pygmy owl called Piglet, a barn owl called Pebbles and a Harris Hawk called Storm.
People who attend the Coffee Club got to hold the birds on a gloved hand if they wished, and everyone thought they were ‘owldorable.’
Caremark Kirklees director Fiona Smith said: “We love having activities at our monthly club, and this was certainly something very different.
“The ladies and gentlemen who attend the club were thrilled by the visit of the birds; it was such a fun and stimulating activity.
“This was a great example of animal-assisted therapy which has been proven to improve mental and physical well-being. This is one of the main aims of our Coffee Club, so this tied in nicely.”
Caremark set up the coffee club in May 2023 as a way of combatting loneliness and social isolation among older people.
The aim was to bring people together in one room for free food, refreshments, entertainment and activities with a view to encouraging social interaction, particularly for Caremark customers who live on their own.
It has been so popular that the club was recently moved from its original venue in Honley to the Kirklees Council owned Sandy Mount extra care housing scheme in Crosland Moor, which is more spacious and has better access.
Fiona added: “We are delighted with how popular our Coffee Club has become and now it’s not just Caremark customers, but other people in our community who are benefiting from this monthly interaction.”
Scissett-based Wise Owl Bird of Prey Rescue is a family-run business with many years’ experience in rescuing birds and returning them to the wild whenever possible. This is in addition to the interactive animal experiences it provides.
