CAREHOME residents in Launceston received a very special festive visit this week.

There was huge excitement at Kernow House as Ted and Rudy came by to visit the residents. They are both reindeer and even better Rudy is Rudolph’s grandson.

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Kernow House care home, in Launceston had a wonderful time learning about the very friendly reindeer from Enchantment Cornwall finding out about their habits and what they like to eat. Several of the residents got to touch the reindeer and we learned, that it is lucky to touch a reindeer’s nose and if you manage to do it, you get a special wish.

Reindeer are natural foragers and would normally eat moss, ferns, grasses and leaves and they found the grass in their enclosure at Kernow House delicious. Carrots are kept for a special treat at Christmas.

General manager Leigh Stanley said: “We had the best time with the reindeer, they are such gorgeous creatures. Our residents loved spending time with them, I do hope they come back to visit us next year.”

Richard, resident ambassador at Kernow House, said: “It was so lovely to see the reindeer and get to stroke them, they were absolutely beautiful. We all loved watching them eat moss and lichen, which they devoured! I hope we haven’t made them too fat to take off on Christmas Eve!”

Residents and relatives enjoyed seeing the reindeer and because it is a very special time of the year with lots of excitement, we invited children and grandchildren of staff to come and see the magical animals.

A spokesperson from Kernow House added: “Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.”