The Henri-Mondor hospital in Aurillac has new recruits: 6 ewes and their 6 lambs. Until the fall, they are responsible for grazing the grass of part of the hospital’s 3 hectares of green spaces. It is a breeder installed nearby who lends his animals in exchange for grass and water.
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Since the beginning of June, at the Henri-Mondor hospital in Aurillac, there is something to be a little surprised, or at least, curious like some patients. The windows of the psychiatry department now overlook a small flock made up of 6 ewes and their 6 lambs: a corner of the countryside in the heart of the hospital. Célia Benitez, occupational therapist trainee, explains: “ It makes life easier for the patients. It calms them down and makes a little distraction. It makes them feel good. They see the animals passing by and it distracts them ».
video length: 01:41
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Aurillac: why sheep have appeared in the hospital
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I was a little surprised when I was contacted
These ewes and their young belong to Michaël, a breeder installed a few kilometers away. In exchange for grass and water, he makes his animals available. Michaël Lhéritier indicates: “ Today, on the site, there are 1.2 hectares to eat, in 6 plots. Depending on the growth of the grass, I think we will bring other ewes, between 10 and 15 more, so that a rotation takes place. “. He adds : ” I was a little surprised when I was contacted because it is in the center of Aurillac, so it is a little surprising place. But then we saw that there was a large area with plots that take time for mowing. It suits me too. I have a lot of individuals asking me, older people who don’t want to bother with the mower. Here it’s a meadow where there are lots of herbal essences and that’s what the animals love ».
A sustainable development approach
On the 3 hectares of green spaces of the hospital, lambs and ewes will help the 4 agents to maintain at least 1 hectare. Nicolas Lherm, agent for Atelier Cours et Jardins, specifies: “ For us this is really an advantage because it will free up our time. A sustainable development approach has been established within the hospital center and we no longer use phytosanitary products. From then on, we have a lot of weeds that develop on the borders and in the beds. Suddenly, it takes us a lot of time compared to mowing. We therefore leave plots because we are taken elsewhere. I had this idea 4-5 years ago. One thing leading to another, the project got under way “. To reduce the time spent mowing even further, around 20 more ewes should arrive soon. More friendly and discreet than a mower, they could stay until the fall.
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