An animal hospital is to give free yearly check-ups to therapy animals at a centre for the disabled.

WindReach came to the agreement with CedarTree Vets after Lucy Richardson, the head veterinarian, gave the charity’s equine herd their annual vaccinations.

Tammalita Joseph, the fund development manager at WindReach, said: “Although our highly skilled ponies and other therapy animals are not on the payroll as such, they are worth their weight in gold – or should I say hay?

“We are indeed very grateful for Dr Lucy Richardson and her team at CedarTree Vets for choosing to support us in this way.

“In-kind donations such as this help non-profits to offset expenses and are just as critical as financial donations.”

WindReach’s educational and therapeutic programmes offer horseback riding as a way to help people with developmental problems build confidence.

The charity has three ponies, a donkey and a miniature horse at present.

Dr Richardson said that CedarTree Vets staff were “delighted” to donate their time in a good cause.

She added: “So many people have been helped through this programme and we hope to keep the ponies and donkeys feeling at their best so they can continue their important work.

“The collaboration of people, animals and the environment is central to our veterinary practice and we are glad to be able to give back to our community.”