MILITARY heroes and loved ones were greeted with sloppy kisses as they were introduced to furry friends.

Personnel recovery centre Chavasse VC House, in Colchester, held animal therapy sessions for its residents.

Arctica the cat, Pickles the mini dachshund, Hippo the hairless guinea pig and Peter the one-eared rabbit were used to enlighten people about unusual appearances.

The animals were brought in by Essex-based charity Alamanda Animal Therapy and are often used in hospitals to support children with special needs.

Georgie Friend, health and physical wellbeing advisor at Chavasse VC House, said animal therapy can work well for some people, including recovering personnel and veterans.

He said: “Animal therapy is particularly effective in helping a person’s social, emotional or cognitive functioning.

“It can also support someone’s physical abilities through the use of having to groom the animal and grip a brush.

“It was great to be able to introduce this type of therapy to the Colchester Recovery Centre.”

It was the animals’ first visit to the centre, which helps rehabilitate wounded, sick and injured soldiers, but proved such a hit they will be returning by popular demand.

If you have been wounded, injured or got sick while serving in the Armed Forces then Help for Heroes is there to support you.

To find out how, please contact the Colchester Recovery Centre on 01206 814886 or visit help forheroes.org.uk/getsupport