Residents of the St. Augustine Health Campus in Cleveland look forward to their annual festival which brings a week of fun and activities literally to their door to celebrate faith, family and community. Activities take place under a large tent erected on the grounds.
This year’s festival took place the week of July 15 and included a talent show and family festival, a visit from Silver, a Shetland pony from Pony Tales Farm Rescue, and a 20-year reunion for those who attended the Child Enrichment Center on the campus. The center is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Silver was a popular visitor as he stopped by to greet residents. Pet therapy has a positive effect on well-being, according to staff at the health campus. They said residents enjoy interacting with the resident cat, Oreo, and some dogs that come to “work.” But the pony is popular -- especially for those in wheelchairs -- because they don’t have to bend over to interact with him and they don’t have to worry about him jumping off their lap.
Some of the residents held Silver’s head and looked into his eyes while talking to him. And sometimes, he rested his head on residents’ laps while they rubbed his head or scratched it. He even returned their affection sometimes by nuzzling into a resident’s neck.
A few of the day care children even got to enjoy a pony ride.
Face painting, games, music and refreshments helped round out the festival week. For more information on St. Augustine Health Ministries, click HERE.