'Celebrating Stampede finally': Calgary seniors enjoy some horsing around
Seniors at the Amica Britannia retirement residence kicked off their week with some Stampede-themed fun on Monday.
In the first of a three-day series of Stampede spirited events, residents and staff got the opportunity to meet Rainbow, a pony from Butterfield Acres. Rainbow and her trainer were on site in the early afternoon to greet and take photos with residents.
"We're celebrating Stampede finally," said Amica Britannia's general manager, Nimeera Shamji.
"We've got the ponies in and the residents absolutely love spending time with them. It's also a form of therapy, the animals being in the building."
Shamji says a few of their residents had grown up on ranches and have been surrounded by animals all their life.
"So absolutely, this brings back memories and a great feeling of Stampede as well, which has been a tradition here."
Claudia Skyler is a resident at Amica Britannia and she says she feels a special connection with Rainbow the pony.
“Well, I love animals. I grew up on our little farm in Switzerland so animals to me, you know, they're alive and I enjoy them,” she said.
"They know if you really like them, you know, it's the feeling they have when you're touching them.”
Shamji says navigating the pandemic and weighing the social needs and the healthcare needs of the residents hasn't been easy.
"Of course, mental health has been a huge, huge issue and I think the lack of interaction with other residents, family and friends has had a huge impact on so many of our residents," said Shamji. "This is a wonderful way for us to be able to open it up and have visitors come in.”
Later this week, residents will get to enjoy an in-house, staff run costume contest and a pancake breakfast, which is also open to visitors.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.