Irish farmer brings alpaca therapy to nursing homes, schools
NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY, Ireland, March 26 (Reuters) - Flanked by a gaggle of smartphone-wielding onlookers, Irish farmer Joe Phelan ushered two alpacas down the corridor of a local nursing home as beaming residents waited their turn to pet them.
A decade after ditching his office job for farming, 64-year-old "Alpaca Joe" has found a new job for his herd of 71 woolly South American camelids: animal therapy for the elderly and people with additional needs.
"They get to feel them. They look into their big, huge brown eyes, which, you know, just are so relaxing. And they might hear them humming," Phelan said.
"We work with local schools with their special-needs classes, and the teachers tell us that the impact on the kids is really positive."
Phelan initially looked into the more traditional types of farming that his family had been involved in for hundreds of years, but said he could not see a way to sustain a living.
Instead he started researching alternative farming options. He eventually bought seven alpacas and sold his home to buy a farm to graze them.
He started off with "alpaca & prosecco" treks and stocked a shop with alpaca wool socks and soft toys. But he soon noticed their potential to ease anxiety among older visitors and those with additional needs.
"We noticed that we were having a really positive impact on people with special needs, be it kids with autism, be it adults or adolescents with Down syndrome ... We just found that it lifted everybody's spirits," Phelan said in an interview at the K2Alpacas farm in Newtownmountkennedy, around 30 km (19 miles) south of Dublin.
The business now employs 11 people, has 71 alpacas and two much larger llamas, and offers accommodation to visitors.
Phelan packed two of his more sociable male alpacas into the back of a van for the trip to Oakfield Nursing Home.
"We know that we have certain boys and girls that are suitable for the therapeutic work," he said. He still had to gently scold the selected alpacas when they took a rest beside the patients.
The nursing home's activities coordinator, Sineád Meegan, came across the herd on TikTok. She said the residents were thrilled with the visit and she would invite them back again soon, "just to see the smiles on the faces".
"I think it triggered a lot of memories for people that would have grown up on farms," she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I couldn't look at my 34E boobs – now I'm a 32C after a reduction, but trolls say I'm an ‘angel who's lost its wings'
A WOMAN who couldn't look in the mirror because of the size of her chest has been told by men she made a mistake getting a reduction. Maya Sangha was a 34E when she started looking into breast surgery options. 3 Maya Sangha was a 34E before the reduction surgery which improved her life Credit: Jam Press/@mayasangha_ 3 She got into the waitlist last year, and had the surgery in May Credit: Jam Press/@mayasangha_ 3 The opinions of her new boobs have been mixed, with many wondering 'why' she had gone for the op Credit: Jam Press/@mayasangha_ The 19-year-old couldn't exercise, suffered with chronic back pain and struggled to find nice clothes that fit. But after sharing a video of her new 32C bust on TikTok, comments from disapproving men came flooding in. 'I shared my story to social media but had men in my comments claiming that I looked better before,' Maya, a barista, told What's The Jam. 'My chest caused me day-to-day problems. 'I wasn't able to exercise comfortably. 'I felt and looked bigger than I was. 'I also had bad posture and horrible neck and back pain. 'I would like to share that if women are uncomfortable with their larger chests then they should go ahead with the procedure, and not worry about anyone else's opinions.' Because Maya is from Vancouver, Canada, her surgery was funded by taxes. Similar to the NHS, Canada's healthcare system is publicly funded and provides universal access to medically necessary services. I was called a 'fat pig' at the gym by a small sausage energy bloke - I'm raging… and his response stunned me even more She got into the waitlist last year, and had the surgery in May. Maya said: 'The process of my reduction was quite easy. 'I had never had a surgery before and the process was seamless. 'I feel so much better now after my reduction. 'During my day-to-day I am more light feeling, and I no longer have to wear a restrictive sports bra. 'I can also wear anything I want, which has allowed me to be more confident in my style.' 5 clothing mistakes women with big boobs make Do you have DD+ boobs and struggle to find clothes that fit? Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend has shared her top tips on clothes to avoid if you have a big bust. 1. Say no to the polo High necklines such a roll necks are to be avoided if you have a fuller bust. Closed chests and necks make your boobs appear bigger and can sometimes give you the dreaded uni-boob. Try wearing V-necks, sweetheart, off the shoulder or scooped necklines that elongate the look of your neck and decolletage. 2. Bigger isn't better Frills, draping and excess fabric to cover your boobs only makes them look bigger. They make you look too top heavy and add unnecessary bulk on your top half which distracts from your face. Instead keep things clean and simple with sleek fabrics and designs with open necklines. 3. Skip slogan tees Slogan or printed T-shirts are having a moment with fashion fans falling over themselves to get Ganni Tees, or their high street dupes. The key is to make sure you're not buying a top with thick, heavy paint plastered on as the print. These will stretch over your fuller chests and split, resulting in a messy look and a ruined T-shirt that's now a waste of money. 4. Avoid crop tops Tops that are shorter in length or crop tops should be swerved if you had a big chest. You'll find you spend most of your time pulling it down and also it messes with the proportions of your body. If you have a big bust and a crop top on, they cut you off in the middle, which makes your bust look even bigger and in worse cases give the illusion that your chest meets your waist. A longer top (including anything from a T-shirt to a jumper) will create the right proportions. 5. Body-wrong Straight or tight fitted dresses are brilliant at showing off your figure. However if you have a big bust that isn't in proportion with the rest of your shape they're a no-go. If you have a fuller bust you can create balance and a defined hourglass silhouette by wearing A-line dresses or skirts. In the Maya's video, she can be seen in a zip-up top before her surgery. In the second clip, she can be seen in the same top. Since posting, the clip has been seen 2.3m times. It has also gained 316,000 likes and 2,000 comments - although opinions have been mixed. One person said: 'Nooooooooo.' Another user added: 'NO.' Someone else said: 'An angel lost its wings.' Mariou added: 'Before and before.' Innias said: 'WHY.' But some fans supported her decision. One user said: 'An angel lost her back pain.' Nevaeh added: 'You must feel so good because you look incredible girl.' Anika said: 'im so happy for u im crying.' [sic] Someone else added: 'All the men saying no as if she did it for them.' Another fan said: 'Beautiful to beautiful.'
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
I couldn't look at my 34E boobs – now I'm a 32C after a reduction, but trolls say I'm an ‘angel who's lost its wings'
A WOMAN who couldn't look in the mirror because of the size of her chest has been told by men she made a mistake getting a reduction. Maya Sangha was a 34E when she started looking into breast surgery options. 3 3 The 19-year-old couldn't exercise, suffered with chronic back pain and struggled to find nice clothes that fit. But after sharing a video of her new 32C bust on TikTok, comments from disapproving men came flooding in. 'I shared my story to social media but had men in my comments claiming that I looked better before,' Maya, a barista, told What's The Jam. 'My chest caused me day-to-day problems. 'I wasn't able to exercise comfortably. 'I felt and looked bigger than I was. 'I also had bad posture and horrible neck and back pain. 'I would like to share that if women are uncomfortable with their larger chests then they should go ahead with the procedure, and not worry about anyone else's opinions.' Because Maya is from Vancouver, Canada, her surgery was funded by taxes. Similar to the NHS, Canada's healthcare system is publicly funded and provides universal access to medically necessary services. I was called a 'fat pig' at the gym by a small sausage energy bloke - I'm raging… and his response stunned me even more She got into the waitlist last year, and had the surgery in May. Maya said: 'The process of my reduction was quite easy. 'I had never had a surgery before and the process was seamless. 'I feel so much better now after my reduction. 'During my day-to-day I am more light feeling, and I no longer have to wear a restrictive sports bra. 'I can also wear anything I want, which has allowed me to be more confident in my style.' 5 clothing mistakes women with big boobs make Do you have DD+ boobs and struggle to find clothes that fit? Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend has shared her top tips on clothes to avoid if you have a big bust. 1. Say no to the polo High necklines such a roll necks are to be avoided if you have a fuller bust. Closed chests and necks make your boobs appear bigger and can sometimes give you the dreaded uni-boob. Try wearing V-necks, sweetheart, off the shoulder or scooped necklines that elongate the look of your neck and decolletage. 2. Bigger isn't better Frills, draping and excess fabric to cover your boobs only makes them look bigger. They make you look too top heavy and add unnecessary bulk on your top half which distracts from your face. Instead keep things clean and simple with sleek fabrics and designs with open necklines. 3. Skip slogan tees Slogan or printed T-shirts are having a moment with fashion fans falling over themselves to get Ganni Tees, or their high street dupes. The key is to make sure you're not buying a top with thick, heavy paint plastered on as the print. These will stretch over your fuller chests and split, resulting in a messy look and a ruined T-shirt that's now a waste of money. 4. Avoid crop tops Tops that are shorter in length or crop tops should be swerved if you had a big chest. You'll find you spend most of your time pulling it down and also it messes with the proportions of your body. If you have a big bust and a crop top on, they cut you off in the middle, which makes your bust look even bigger and in worse cases give the illusion that your chest meets your waist. A longer top (including anything from a T-shirt to a jumper) will create the right proportions. 5. Body-wrong Straight or tight fitted dresses are brilliant at showing off your figure. However if you have a big bust that isn't in proportion with the rest of your shape they're a no-go. If you have a fuller bust you can create balance and a defined hourglass silhouette by wearing A-line dresses or skirts. In the Maya's video, she can be seen in a zip-up top before her surgery. In the second clip, she can be seen in the same top. Since posting, the clip has been seen 2.3m times. It has also gained 316,000 likes and 2,000 comments - although opinions have been mixed. One person said: 'Nooooooooo.' Another user added: 'NO.' Someone else said: 'An angel lost its wings.' Mariou added: 'Before and before.' Innias said: 'WHY.' But some fans supported her decision. One user said: 'An angel lost her back pain.' Nevaeh added: 'You must feel so good because you look incredible girl.' Anika said: 'im so happy for u im crying.' [sic]
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, 27, rushed to hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025
Spain's manager has spoken about the midfielder's condition STAR WORRY Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, 27, rushed to hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025 BALLON d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati was rushed to hospital after suffering from viral meningitis. The Spanish star did not train on Thursday after reporting a fever. 4 Spain star Aitana Bonmati was rushed to hospital Credit: Reuters 4 She has been diagnosed with viral meningitis Bonmati, 27, was then ruled out of Spain's clash with Japan - which they won 3-1 at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. The Barcelona star then shocked her 1.9million followers on Instagram with a post of herself in a hospital bed. The midfielder could be seen with an IV in her arm as she watched the match on TV. She added an emoji of a flexing arm to suggest she is fighting strong. Marca have reported that she underwent multiple medical tests and was diagnosed with viral meningitis. She has been treated with intravenous medicine and at the moment, there is no return date pencilled in for her. The report has suggested that there is "confidence" that she will have recovered in time for Spain's Euros campaign. Spain manager Montse Tome is giving Bonmati all the time she needs in order to make the travelling squad. She said: "Aitana is a very important player, and we're going to wait for her until the end. "The only information I have is that we don't know the timeframe. 4 Montse Tome does not know when the midfielder will be back Credit: EPA 4 Bonmati has scored 30 goals for Spain in her career Credit: Getty "If I say anything, I'd be wrong because I'm not a doctor. She's a very important player." Spain travel to Switzerland tomorrow ahead of their Euros opener against Portugal on July 3. Bonmati has earned 76 caps and scored 30 goals in international football. She was a part of the Spain team that beat England's Lionesses in the World Cup final in 2023. She won the women's Ballon d'Or in both 2023 and 2024. In February, Bonmati insisted that Luis Rubiales' conviction of sexual assault after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth was right. The infamous incident happened after Spain won the World Cup in 2023. Bonmati's glittering career Aitana Bonmati has enjoyed an incrediblysuccessful career at club and international levels so far... Club career: Barcelona, 2016 - present Appearances -318 Goals - 112 International career: Spain, 2017 - present Caps - 76 Goals - 30 Catalonia, 2017 - 2019 Cap - 2 Goals - 1 Honours list: Club: Copa de la Reina - x7 Liga F - x6 Supercopa de Espana - x5 Champions League - x3 Copa Catalunya - x4 International: Women's World Cup, 2023 Women's Nations League, 2024 Individual: Women's Ballon d'Or - x2 Best Fifa Women's Player - x2 Golden Player Woman Award - x2 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year - 2024 The former Spanish Football Federation boss was fined £8,274 but was spared a prison sentence. And she hopes the outcome of the case, which sparked nationwide protests in her country, has set an "important precedent".
