Like clockwork, as soon as the milk bottle reached the lamb’s mouth, the tail began twirling.

“It’s like a helicopter,” said Trina Barkhausen, health services director at HomePlace Memory Care. “It’s almost like it needs to go around and around and around or he can’t swallow.

“He’s a funny little guy.”

Olaf is a blind, two-month-old lamb that’s winning over hearts at HomePlace, a home-oriented Alzheimer’s and dementia care facility in Oak Harbor.

Barkhausen took him in from a neighbor to care for him shortly after birth and got the blessings of the executive director at HomePlace to bring him to work to allow residents a chance to care for and interact with him.

Convincing the top brass wasn’t difficult.

“When people come here like families and visitors, they’re absolutely enthralled with that lamb,” said Karen Cowgill, community relations director.

“We’re really strong believers in animal therapy.”

Cowgill explained that many staff members bring in their dogs, including executive director Mary Gould, to the delight of residents, staff and visitors.

In fact, it’s encouraged because of the therapeutic benefits to residents suffering with memory loss.

There is a softness and gentleness from the animals that resonate with the residents.

“It’s amazing to see them with animals with how loving they are,” Cowgill said.

“It gives them purpose,” said Ami Timm, life enrichment director at HomePlace. “They really like to be busy doing things. Some of them had farms growing up.”

The animals also may trigger happy, emotional memories, Timm said.

“They may have forgotten a lot of memories,” she said, “but the emotional center is still there.”

Olaf is in a class by himself.

He is able to wander around a small fenced area near the entrance of the facility and in sight of staff that can see what he’s munching on through a window.

Barkhausen regularly brings him to work and allows residents to stroke and bottlefeed him.

“He’s cuter than anything I’ve seen before,” said Janet, a resident at the facility.

“This was the first time I ever touched a lamb,” said Kay, another resident.

Barkhausen, a registered nurse, cares for lots of animals at her Oak Harbor home on 2.5 acres of property. Her neighbor raises sheep, and on occasion a lamb will be born in need of special care.

Two fit that description two months and ago and one didn’t survive.

Olaf is not only blind but suffers from seizures from time to time.

Barkhausen normally returns an animal once it’s nursed back to health, but asked if she could keep Olaf.

“I got attached to this little guy,” she said.

She’s not alone.

Barkhausen has noticed the bond between Olaf and residents. She said she’s watched an agitated resident become relaxed when holding the lamb.

“They love him,” she said.

HomePlace is hosting a free dog show at 2 p.m. June 27 to benefit Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation.

There will be prizes for largest, smallest, best dressed and best behaved dogs, and more.

To RSVP or to learn more, call 360-279-2555.

“We’re constantly exposing residents to new things,” Cowgill said. “We do all sorts of things to broaden their horizons.”