Gledhow Christian Care Home adopted Simon the donkey from Leeds's Elisabeth Svendsen Donkey Centre. And ever since then he and Rosie have been regular visitors in the private rooms and lounge at the home.

Sue Cumming, a home care worker at the home on Brackenwood Drive, Gledhow, said their visits are an important part of the home's holistic care and says the animals have been a big hit with residents.

"They love to have them around," she said. "They just want to touch them and talk to them. It is a calming experience. It brings them some pleasure and it's different.

"It's quite a surreal thing seeing a donkey getting led in and backed out of all the rooms, but I think it's a great idea. Simon is quite a star here and they love him to bits."

Rosie and Simon both live at The Donkey Centre in Eccup, Leeds, which provides riding therapy to children and young adults with special needs and disabilties.

The centre belongs to the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust, which promotes the therapeutic effects of contact with donkeys on disabled children.

The centre now has a small team of specially chosen donkeys and workers who also visit people in nursing homes, residential homes and hospices.

Principal Allison Mann said: "We have had terrific feedback on the visits. People build up a relationship with the donkeys and look forward to seeing them."