Unique kind of delight

Animals provide warmth and fascination to assisted living residents

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Victoria House Assisted Living residents in Austintown surround themselves with animal companionship. Sherry Beight, left, is feeding an ostrich at Wagon Trails Animal Park. She says she loves animals because they don’t talk back, you make them feel good and they make you feel good.

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Lou Wellington, left, is feeding a camel, and below is Maggie, a Labrador Retriever mix rescue dog who lives at the facility. Maggie knows Wellington’s routine and waits for her daily scratch and walk out to work in the garden. Maggie also seems to have a favorite resident that she jumps up and runs to any time she hears her voice.

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Interacting with the animals seems to bring a unique kind of delight as residents enjoy summer outings to Wagon Trails where they meet and feed several animals. Academic studies in recent years have confirmed the clear health benefits of animal companionship. According to research by the Mayo Clinic, animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue in people with a range of health problems. Because of this, Victoria House continues to provide opportunities for those who call it home to be in the presence of furry companionship.