Watching Mercy Place Albury residents interact with goats, ducks and the like for the first time, Ms Vanderweyde said the positive health benefits were clear.

“It’s beautiful actually, watching the residents’ faces light up,” she said.

“I don’t know whether it’s the smallness of the animals or the softness of them, but it triggers memories and that’s really special.

“Most of them have all grown up with animals and come into a city to live in a retirement home and lose that contact.

“I think it’s great retirement homes allow visits or keep pets in the home.”

Perhaps the most anticipation for the nursery’s visit came from 91-year-old resident Norma Hopcraft.

Petting the goats, she reminisced about being a younger girl and helping her mother with their animals.

“My mother had a cow she milked when I was young, and I had many different pets when I had kids,” she said.

“I love any and all animals – this is lovely.”