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It’s a horse, of course

contributed photos The Willow Residents enjoy seeing horses Jen Gallentine, of Conrad, on Monday.

Residents at The Willows got a chance to see a little bit of the outdoors this week. 

“The unconditional love of animals has a nourishing and stress-reducing effect on healthy seniors as well as those with dementia and Alzheimers,” said Bob Daniels, public relations officer for The Willows. “Residents raved about the visit.”

Two horses are owned by Jen Gallentine of Conrad. 

The horses aren’t just an adorable addition to resident’s day, they also add to the well-being of the seniors in care facilities.

“Being around pets has been shown to have beneficial effects on people’s physical and mental well- being. For seniors who struggle with dementia, depression, and mental health issues, being able to spend time with a dog or cat can help improve their quality of life,”  said Jennifer Stanley, The Willows executive director. “While owning a pet usually isn’t possible for assisted living residents, staff can help them enjoy the benefits of being around animals by offering pet therapy.”

Animals give residents a chance to be social and can ease symptoms of depression or anxiety, which is helpful during a pandemic. 

“Increased social interaction is also beneficial for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s,” Stanley said. “Animals give residents the opportunity to interact with others that they normally would not have.”

Having the horses on the grounds offers a form of pet therapy for the residents. 

“The visit brought much joy to the residents,” Daniels said. 

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Contact Thomas Nelson at tnelson@timesrepublican.com

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