Monkey Business at Newland House

There was a bit of monkey business going on at Newland House Care Home in Witney last week when the residents and the team were enchanted by two special visitors.

Squirrel monkeys Tia and Asbo, together with their handlers Jersey Shepherd and Barbara Marquez from Heythrop Zoological Gardens in Chipping Norton, provided much amusement and laughter during their visit to Newland House.

They enjoyed meeting everybody there and had great fun sitting on the heads or laps of the residents and team members.

Tia, now 15 years old, and the aunt of Asbo, who is four, are two of the 12 squirrel monkeys that live at the zoological gardens.

Sue Kent, Newland House’s Registered Manager, said: “What a fantastic morning we all had. The monkeys were a huge hit with our ladies, gentlemen and team members. We love having animal visitors to Newland House as they provide us all with so much fun and entertainment.”

Heythrop Zoological Park is becoming a regular visitor at Newland House, having also brought along two Humboldt penguins to meet the residents and team last November.