VIDEO. Arthus, the pony who visits the elderly in nursing homes

For Garance, owner of Arthus, these interactions between the residents and her pony have something magical about them. “Something’s going on.” For Marie-Véronique Boué, animator at the Terres Neuvas nursing home, this initiative stimulates residents. “A lady who didn’t want to go out, who hasn’t been out for 5 years because she doesn’t like going outside, and there she wants to come for a little walk with Arthus”. In the nursing homes of this Breton town, Arthus broadcasts positive waves, for sessions full of tenderness.

Make nursing homes more alive

“Everybody’s lined up in the lobby and nobody’s taking a nap today”, says Marie-Véronique Boué. Residents eagerly await Arthus’ arrival. “What they like is the interaction with the animal, the touch. He is calm and composed, they are in awe. Not all horses can do this. Arthus, he has empathy towards humans and he goes towards humans”, adds Garance.

For these meetings, this pony did not follow any particular training but just learned to be careful with his movements so as not to hurt the residents. For Garance, these visits also make it possible to restore the image of nursing homes. “There are many people in nursing homes who are caregivers, nurses, facilitators who try to do their best to make these places alive and bring joy. They are the ones who do the maximum of things for our seniors. It’s a job that makes sense. It’s cool to bring happiness”, she confides.