A lifelong love of wildlife continues at Willow Green
For Terry Bowes, a resident at Willow Green, a love of wildlife has been a lifelong passion. A former zookeeper, Terry is well known within the zoo community. Whilst now living at Willow Green in the nursing unit, his knowledge and experience are still very much in demand. He continues to receive calls and emails asking for his advice, with questions ranging from elephants to ants.
His bedroom at Willow Green is also home to four budgerigars, so it is no surprise that when a social worker recently got in touch about another bird in need of a home, Terry was more than happy to help.
A new feathered friend
The budgerigar had previously belonged to someone who had become unwell and was looking for a temporary home. Knowing Terry's love of birds, the social worker reached out to see if he could offer the bird a safe place to stay.
The newest addition has now joined Terry's existing budgerigars at Willow Green, giving him another opportunity to care for and enjoy the company of the animals he has always loved.
A new feathered friend
The budgerigar had previously belonged to someone who had become unwell and was looking for a temporary home. Knowing Terry's love of birds, the social worker reached out to see if he could offer the bird a safe place to stay.
The newest addition has now joined Terry's existing budgerigars at Willow Green, giving him another opportunity to care for and enjoy the company of the animals he has always loved.
As Terry explains in his own handwritten account of the experience, animals can have an important role to play in people's lives:
“It’s a well-known fact that some animals, including some birds, can provide therapies for lots of human conditions.”
Terry's own words
September 21, 2026
Activities
Willow Green
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