Hop to it! Lola the Lop takes centre stage as Hft’s Easter bunny

Lola’s visits highlight the powerful impact animals can have on emotional wellbeing

Lola the rabbit will be making an appearance as Hft’s official Easter Bunny this Spring.

Seven-year-old Lola, an English Lop Rabbit, will be visiting Hft’s Ryeford Court service in Ebley, Stroud over the Easter holidays with her owner Amy Rodda.

Lola is a regular visitor to the supported living service and is loved by the people who live there.

Owner Amy is a Business Support Officer for Hft and has worked for the charity for four years.

Amy has worked in the care sector for 12 years and Lola lives with her and her husband Andrew.

Lola first visited Ryeford Court two years ago and was an instant hit with the people we support. She now visits every few months.

“Lola loves cuddles and attention,” said Amy. “She’s also a fan of bananas.

“Everyone at Ryeford Court loves her and they look forward to her visiting.

“Often she will just sit on their lap and soak up all the fuss.

“One of the people we support had rabbits when she was young.

“She said having Lola visit reminded her of her childhood.”

Lola travels in a cat carrier. On occasion she joins Amy in the office but most of her days are spent with Andrew who works from home.

“She keeps him company while he is working,” said Amy. “She is often on his lap during meetings.

“She also likes listening to the radio.”

Lola is not the only animal to visit Ryeford Court. Shetland ponies and birds of prey have also popped in.

Amy, 31, has owned Lola since she was just 12 weeks old and had rabbits as pets as a child.

“Lola is the fourth rabbit I have had and is quite freespirited and does what she wants to do,” Amy said.

“She is looking forward to all the cuddles she’ll receive at Ryeford Court and being the official Easter bunny.”

Owning a pet of their own is something that learning disabled people often struggle to have due to living in residential settings or having tenancies that don’t allow animals.

Research carried out by Hft revealed that many learning disabled people would like to have their own pet to help with their emotional wellbeing, but are often precluded from doing so.