Delighted residents from Jemalong Residential Village in Forbes have been treated to a horse drawn carriage ride through the countryside as part of Catholic Healthcare's My Wish program.
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The experience was nostalgic and an opportunity to reminisce, share stories and bond with each other.
The My Wish program grants residents living in one of Catholic Healthcare's homes a special wish.
The horse drawn carriage ride, proposed by one of the ladies at JRV, was a big hit with everyone at Jemalong.
Acting Lifestyle Manager, Bec Higgs, said it was a wonderful and memorable day.
The carriage was drawn by two beautiful Percheron Draft horses and residents were taken around the Village, along a country road in a neighbouring field to a cottage.
"We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather," Ms Higgs said.
"Altogether, 35 residents went on a ride, with nine trips being made in total.
"For every trip we had a different staff member escort the residents including the Maintenance Officer, the Residential Manager, Care Staff, Kitchen Staff and Lifestyle Officer.
Ms Higgs said JRV was abuzz with activity and even the residents who didn't want to go on the ride had the opportunity to meet the horses, talk to the driver and the owner.
"The experience also allowed our residents to reminisce, share and bond with each other before and after," Ms Higgs said.
"We would hear residents in the dining room, in the foyer, during activities, or having a cup of tea saying, 'oh, my family used to own a horse and carriage business' or 'I grew up with horses until my father died and then my mother had to sell them'. We didn't know any of these things until this experience came along. To me, that was the most magical part about the experience."
Catholic Healthcare would like to give a special thanks to Marianne and Robert from the Travealy Horse Drawn Carriages of Cowra.
