Residents at a County Wexford nursing home were this week greeted by some wooly visitors.

Farmer Joe Phelan from County Wicklow, brought two alpacas to Oakfield Nursing Home in Courtown.

According to the Irish Examiner, the visit triggered a lot of memories for people who grew up on farms.

The alpacas live at Mr Phelan's farm K2 Alpacas in Newtownmountkennedy.

“Nature and animals really have a way of grounding us,” he said. 

“We could see there that it helps with loneliness, it helps with depression, it helps with dementia and it helps with people’s general wellbeing.” 

Mr Phelan added that when he arrived with his animals he could “see everybody’s eyes light up”. 

“You see them becoming animated and it really lifts everybody’s spirits,” he said. 

“Not only the residents but the staff and visitors as well. 

“Already we have lots of really positive stories; this man wouldn’t come out of his room. 

“But when the alpacas were there, he came out to meet them.” 

Main image: An Alpaca. Picture by: Alamy.com