An update to Magic the mini’s visit to Villa Marina by Paula Moore

(Pictures will follow - Villa Marina will be emailing us a bunch)

Here’s update on our big day yesterday - this is from a board update by Paula Moore, educational coordinator (Paula, I couldn’t find if you had posted this already but you did such a great job I figured I’d post it here and on the WindChill forum as well so I hope you don’t mind!):

Our visit to the Villa Marina Health and Rehabilitation in Superior with Magic 11/14/08

As Magic pulled up in a trailer, I heard the announcement , “The mini horse  has arrived. Please gather in the Activity  Room.” As Jeff entered with Magic, he had to pass through a line of about 10 people to get to the Activity Room. People could not believe what they saw. “I never thought I would see a horse in here.” “I don’t mind the poop but if it pees that is a big clean-up.”

The residents were so surprised. One said she had read the poster on the bulletin board but did not believe it. Another resident’s daughter, who said her mom is really with it, did not believe it when  her mom told her  a horse was coming. The residents were so happy and talkative. They asked good questions. Visitors asked who we were and I handed out brochures. They noticed my Legacy t-shirt. Some had followed WindChill’s story.

Magic was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. She let everyone touch her. She put her head on some laps. She handled the wheel chairs, canes, smells, and the many camera flashes so well. A little child got to ride on her back.

Jeff was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. He kept reassuring Magic with subtle touches and hugging and talking. The love between Magic and Jeff is so beautiful.   The last time I saw Magic was Wednesday when Carole and I gave her treats as we said good night). She was all muddy. Carole and I gave each other THE LOOK. What a mess. She looked like she rolled in the mud. TODAY I did not recognize her today. Her coat was so bright, I almost went out to get my Miste shades. Her coat was so soft.  Every inch of her was sparkling clean down to the little hair on her legs. Jeff sure has his brushing technique down. I think he must have stopped at a car wash or at least a salon to get Magic looking this good. What is his secret???????

We did not stay in the activity room. Magic was so good that they asked us to go down the hall to a birthday party. Magic, Jeff, and I CRASHED the birthday party. We were a BIG hit. Again we got to talk about Magic and the WindChill Legacy to the residents and visitors in there.

Of course they all wanted to give Magic treats, especially cake and ice cream, but Jeff explained how Magic was on a diet. They all could see that.  However I said that as a volunteer, with my trusty pal CAROLE BAKKE, that Misty gets her share of treats on Wednesdays. Our gig is up Carole!!!

Jeff maneuvered Magic so well . What a handler!!!! He got Magic up close and personal with every resident no matter  how disabled or  what got in the way, canes, wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, walkers, tubes, flashing cameras did not bother Magic. Every resident had their picture taken with Magic, even Jeff and I.

As we went into the hall and the birthday party, I carried the cleanup bucket just in case.  Magic thought it was her grain bucket. She kept nosing it so I had to hide it behind my back.

We did not leave after that either. We were stopped in the hallway by the nurses station as more residents came to see Magic. Brenda, the Activity Director, remarked, “ I think every resident has come  to see Magic today.”

Between visitors, nursing staff, residents we had 50+ people that saw Magic.

It was a wonderful experience to see how much interaction, pleasure, and the many different ways  in which the residents responded to Magic . The “ 45” minutes turned into 1 and ½  hours of pure and excitement by everyone.

Kathi and Jeff’s ideas to  have these visits to nursing homes as part of the Legacy truly is inspirational.