It’s infants in arms and kids riding ponies. It’s octogenarians clapping their hands and humming popular tunes. It’s goats and sheep and even a Jerusalem donkey! And to all residents, employees and their families, it’s one of the best days of the year!
That’s the outdoor barbecue and an afternoon long visit of Happy Trails and Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue to the Care One at King James Care Center, an annual event that staff and residents alike call one of the very best days of the year.
“It’s certainly one of my favorite days,” said administrator Jimmie King as he wheeled a resident up close enough so she could pet the donkey and hold a duck. “You just feel good inside seeing so many happy faces and seeing how much this animals touch the heart of our residents.”
Happy Trails is a family owned business started more than 30 years ago and comes to King James, as it does to birthday parties, picnics or wherever it’s arranged, complete with a wide array of chickens, ducks, goat, sheep, a riding pony, bunnies and donkey and more . Sunday, they set up a fenced in area at the King James parking lot, under plenty of shade trees so that both the ambulatory and chair bound residents could sit and watch the animals, hold them in their laps or nuzzle them with sheer joy. For many residents, the animals often bring up fond memories from a resident’s youth or an amusing incident that happened sometime earlier in the lives. To all, they bring laughter and smiles.
In another area of the parking lot, The Castle of Dreams Animal rescue non-profit organization of Cliffwood, together with its founder and volunteer teens from Thorne Middle School encourage residents and guests to pet the dogs waiting for adoption and eager to accept hugs, pets, and happy faces.
And in still another area, a musical group, the Hitz Squad was playing a variety of sing-along and dance tunes for residents sitting happily in the sun and keeping time with the music.
Besides that, there are tables that organizations generous two the Care Center, Ascend and Kindred hospice as well as the East Brunswick Recreation Department, filled with gifts for residents and their guests alike, ranging from coloring books for the youngsters to key chains and sanitizers for the adults, and candy bars and lollipops for everyone.
In addition there were chips and soda to go along with bottled water and lots of candy for everyone in yet another area of the front areas of the Route 36 building..
“ Keeping our residents happy at Care One is a tradition as old as the nursing home itself,” said Karen Cohen, herself an employee of more approximately 15 years and currently the Activities Director for the facility. “We all look forward to this day and everyone pitches in to ensure all our residents can take advantage of it. We were so fortunate to have a warm and sunny day which made it all perfect.”
“Our whole family loves this day,” said Monique Wilkenson, who, as receptionist and all around aide at the care center is the first smiling face you see as you enter the facility. Other relatives and generations of her family are also employed at the facility and three generations of her family were on hand to help with the preparation and presentation as well as to enjoy the pony rides, giveaways and music.
“Maybe it’s because our employees treat our residents as they should be treated,” King conceded, “ they treat them like family, like this is their home. And so many of the employees have been here for decades, and truly love their residents. Many, like myself, have started in the nursing care field and advanced not only in knowledge and experience right here at King James, then assume new positions here, armed with the experience of all the years they have been employed and gotten to know their residents here. It’s all about family,” the administrator added.
