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Residents of the Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center got some surprise visitors Thursday afternoon as rabbits, an alpaca, a miniature pot-bellied pig and a 23-inch miniature horse named Lucky — one of the smallest in the world — made their way around the Rockville facility.

"It brings everything they see in the outside world on TV to reality here," said Yvonne Lopez, a Collingswood employee, cradling the pig — Cupcake — and showing it off to astonished elderly residents. Out of all the activities planned at the facility, visits from the animals are the most popular, according to Lopez. "It really brings out the child or the young person within them."

The visit was courtesy of Squeals on Wheels, a mobile petting zoo launched by Potomac couple Jill and John Phillips. The two have about 70 animals living in their home or backyard, and the visitors to the Collingswood facility Friday were only a handful of them. A hedgehog, a 65-pound tortoise, a donkey and a tarantula are among the many animals that call the Phillips residence home.

It takes roughly two hours to feed all the animals, and the Phillips have all their animal munchies delivered in 50-pound sacks to complete the job. Their unusual pets have garnered them national attention, including a spot on ABC's "Wife Swap" in which Jill Phillips temporarily traded places with a South Carolina "Glamazon" biker wife for the reality show.

The couple runs the petting zoo as a business, hauling their animals in a happy-colored camper to events, including children's birthday parties. However, they also volunteer their time, and the event at Collingswood Thursday was a labor of love for the residents — some of whom were staying temporarily at the center, and others who call Collingswood their home. "They just light up," John Phillips said.

Pet therapy has long been hailed as positive for the elderly. Pet visits can be effective at increasing happiness and reducing loneliness among nursing home residents, especially among those once accustomed to having a pet, according to a 2002 study by William Banks, a researcher from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Pets also tend to bring people together and encourage them to socialize, according to the study.

"The residents love it," said Trish Evans, community relations director for Collingswood. "It's soft, fun and interactive." Animals are always welcome at Collingswood, she said, and the facility has a few dedicated volunteers from the community who often bring their dogs to visit.

The unusual nature of the animals Thursday, however, turned some heads and had the halls of the Collingswood facility abuzz with chatter. "All the animals here are easy to pet —they seem calm," said Valerie Winter, 72, a resident at the facility, as she cooed to a tiny rabbit on her lap.

Jill Livesey, 82, also got a chance to hold a rabbit Thursday. She described herself as an animal person, and reported caring for ducks, pigs, horses and cats throughout her lifetime.

What's the appeal? "They don't talk back to you, and they mind their own business," Livesey said.