Miniature ponies paid a special visit to ‘worn out and infirm’ seamen when they trotted over to The Royal Seafarers’ Society in Banstead this month.

The miniature ponies from Kingswood Shetland Ponies, delivered an animal therapy session on December 19.

Blossom and Dotty, donning reindeer antler headbands, toured ex-seafaring residents of the charity’s care home Belvedere House.

Anne Kasey, home manager at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, said: “We love to see how our residents enjoy the animal therapy sessions, Blossom and Dotty were a source of great happiness during their visit.

“It is really rewarding to see residents who are bed-ridden or with late stage illnesses interacting with the miniature ponies. We hope our programme of activities continue to inspire and stimulate those who live with us.”

The two charismatic little ponies are part of a team of therapy animals from Kingwood Shetland Ponies.

Dotty is a two-year-old spotted miniature pony who was born blind in one eye but had her uncertain future turned around when she started working as a therapy pony.

Blossom is nine years old and is known to be especially good working with children and has a habit of falling asleep with her head in people’s laps.

The two ponies measure nine hands each and spend their days eating hay and winning hearts whilst out providing therapy sessions.

Royal Alfred’s elderly residents come from seafaring backgrounds and some arrive at the home with complex needs including late stage dementia.

The animal visit is an annual event for the home, with visits from Mr Kipling the miniature donkey and Maurice the guinea pig from Pony Pals in previous years.

Animal therapy is commonly used as an occupational therapy tool for people of all ages and has wide-ranging benefits, including reducing stress levels and providing social interaction.