BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — The mother goat, Jilly, and her baby kid Jilly Bean, dressed in their finest St. Paddy's Day green tutus, yelled out a "maa" — a signal it almost was time to nurse.
Rose, a happy-go-lucky black-and-white border collie, followed close behind the two goats, with green painted on their fur.
No, it wasn't a typical day on the farm, but instead a joyous St. Paddy's Day celebration for hundreds of residents at Arden Courts Old Orchard.
On Monday, they were joined at the facility, which specializes in caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, by Shamrock-wearing family members, staff and volunteers.
As many posed for photos with the animals, some residents gathered in the activity room to listen to traditional Irish tunes by bagpipers from Liberty High School and soloist James Ruhf.
The event was held by staff from Serenity Hospice, which provides medical and emotional support to residents and their caregivers at the assistant living center at 4098 Freemansburg Ave.
Familiar furry friends
Rose, who on St. Paddy's Day was there to give a demonstration on herding farm animals for the residents, also moonlights as a therapy dog at the facility.
It's a volunteer gig in which Rose has been involved for the past year with her owner, Peter Prium.
"When she is put on the schedule, the residents get excited."Rose's owner, Peter Prium
"The residents that are talkative are very happy to see her," Prium said. "Many of them will remember that they see her all the time, and for some of them it's a new experience once again.
"When she is put on the schedule, the residents get excited. I even tell Rose the night before that it's going to be good day tomorrow, because we are going to Arden Court.
"And she perks up."
Studies show animals, especially those in pet therapy programs, significantly benefit residents in memory care facilities.
A 2004 study in the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease states that animal-assisted therapy revealed a decrease in anxiety and a significant increase in social activity.
Prium and Rose also volunteer their therapy services at East Stroudsburg University, along with another animal-lover, Sandy Shaika, who brought her two goats to the party Monday.
At Count Your Blessings Farm, in Bangor, Shaika offers one-hour "baby goat snuggles" starting at $20 for adults and $10 for children.
"Cuddling a goat releases endorphins naturally," Shaika said. "It's a therapeutic experience."
Taking the goats to visit with seniors, and even younger college students, is a no-brainer, she said.
"The goats spread joy and people laugh," Shaika said. "Even the [toughest] football players get happy when they see them on campus."
Love and support
In 2022, it was estimated that 282,000 people in Pennsylvania are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
That number is expected to rise to 320,000 in 2025, according to the association.
While the disease causes a lack of independence and memory in a patient, individuals with Alzheimer's still need love, companionship and support, staff said.
"This is very emotional for me, but it's also something important to do."Serenity Hospice Patient Relations Manager Jennifer Cacciatore
Serenity Hospice Patient Relations Manager Jennifer Cacciatore helped organize the first St. Paddy's bash at the memory care facility last year.
The Irish-themed day included free snacks, wine, plus Harp and Guinness beers (non-alcoholic included).
As part of its program, Serenity held music therapy classes for Arden Court residents, along with celebrations during holidays such as Easter and Christmas.
"This is a huge deal, to be able to make the patients smile," Cacciatore said. "I was actually fighting back tears because my mother-in-law is at a different facility, in the dementia unit, in the end stages.
"So this is very emotional for me, but it's also something important to do. It's important for the people living here and for the people caring for them."
