The Selwyn Foundation has purchased four fluffy baby seal robots for rest home residents.

The therapeutic PARO robots, which cost $27,000, were a roaring success during a trial at Selwyn Heights Retirement Village.

Selwyn Foundation CEO, Gary Smith, says the robot acts as a companion.

"What has been found is that residents who came into contact with PARO, they were less lonely and much more engaged with the interactions with the seal promoted."

Mr Smith says plans are now underway to trial the seals with dementia patients.