It's probably not be the first thing you think of when it comes to treatments for Alzheimer's disease but ponies have been bringing smiles to patients' faces thanks to one woman's efforts.
It may seem peculiar, but research suggests the disease's effects can be reduced and patient's quality of life can be improved with 'equine therapy'.
With 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia, care homes across the country are constantly looking for new ways to treat the disease.
The condition is incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes problems with memory, but when patients interact with horses, Katy Smith of KL Pony Therapy says "it's like somebody's switching a light on".
She set up her County Durham business in 2011 after stumbling upon the benefits of pony interaction when her father was ill in a care home and she brought her pets in to visit.
After noticing the resident's positive reaction she decided to treat dementia patients across the country to her therapy by setting up a dedicated service.
Ms Smith, who has worked with horses for 30 years, takes her miniature ponies to care homes so residents can "stroke, talk and just be around them".
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