Horses, pony and dog bring nursing homes joy amid pandemic
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - An Indiana family is on a mission, traveling the state with their horses, pony and dog, setting out to bring joy to nursing home residents.
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered everybody's way of life, including nursing home residents who previously had family visits, shared meals and group activities to pass their days. But in the age of social distancing, all of that is gone, making it a more lonely time for seniors.
Wes Jackson, co-owner of American Senior Communities (ASC), wanted to bring some comfort to residents at ASC homes during this uncertain time.
Along with his family, Jackson set out to visit all 86 ASC properties in Indiana so seniors could enjoy his animals.
'œWe're looking for smiles. The horses are what I like to call essential workers'¦ these guys get to help a little bit with the social and the emotional,'ť Jackson said.
'œWe've surprised several residents by knocking on a window, and they're like, '~Whoa!,''ť Jackson laughed while describing the initial shock residents had at seeing a giant horse outside their window.
'œIt breaks up the monotony of the shutdown we're in, if even for a brief time.'ť
Last week, the group stopped in Evansville and surprised Columbia Healthcare residents, including Teresa Davies.
'œOh yes it was wonderful, I loved it. I really had a good spot too, it was just wonderful,'ť Davies said. 'œWe can't have animals here so to have a great big quarter outside your window, I was just giddy.'ť
On that day, her son was talking to her through her window when all sudden he said, 'œMom, turn around,'ť and Davies was face to face with a giant horse.
'œI was surprised, I mean a horse was just right at the window. And it brought back memories. My family had a pony and a horse. It was just a wonderful feeling,'ť Davies said.
Malia Finch, the director of marketing and admissions at Columbia Healthcare, said the program started because Jackson has such a big heart when it comes to his seniors.
'œHe went from window to window and made sure every horse went by every window. He talked to the residents. It stood out to me most that he always told them he loved them. It sounded so genuine,'ť Finch said.
Jackson's wife, Marcy, also connected with each resident during the visit.
'œWhen she's at the window conversing with the residents and she has to say goodbye, she starts crying. That's had an impact on me. My wife gets the emotional connection, and that is actually a blessing,'ť Jackson said.
He said they have both loved seeing so many smiling faces and that's made it all worthwhile.
'œThis program was born out of love and wanting to brighten the days of our seniors,'ť Finch said. It's important, she said, to create experiences for residents to fill the void created by the absence of their normal routine.
Finch saw firsthand what a positive impact the Horses for Hope program had on residents as she helped lead one of the horses to resident's windows.
'œIt was a feeling of giddiness and childlike excitement. They couldn't wait to be up at the window and see the horses and take in that whole experience. It inspired hope that this time is temporary, and we'll get through it together,'ť Finch said.
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Source: Evansville Courier & Press