April 19, 2018 (Hildebran, NC) ─ Jon Walker Stables and Riding Academy recently brought a two-horse trailer chock full of cuteness to Cambridge House, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Hildebran. Stable owner and instructor Carolyn Walker came with several youth volunteers, but the real show stoppers were miniature horses Aladdin and Magic, and Bandit the pygmy goat.

Pictured above are Cambridge House residents Lois Wiggins, Dale Wiggins, John Farthing, stable owner Carolyn Walker and youth volunteers Lyndsey Rushing and Sara Pollock, along with miniature horses Aladdin and Magic and Bandit the pygmy goat. Also pictured is resident Johnsie Nelson and youth volunteer Sarah Hoover with Magic.

Jon Walker Stables, located in Gastonia, offers riding lessons, summer camps, birthday parties and hosts weddings. Stable owner Carolyn Walker heard Cambridge House resident Ruth Nordwick was turning 104 and decided to bring some of the farm animals to the residents to help celebrate. Pictured below are Cambridge House residents Donna Parker with Bandit and Lois and Dan Wiggins with Magic.

“We brought a piece of the farm to them,” she said. “Some of the seniors grew up with horses, especially in this area.”

Residents came outdoors to visit with Magic and Aladdin, while Bandit was carried indoors for room visits.

“All the residents absolutely loved seeing the animals,” said Activities Director Cheri Hahn. “There were smiles and laughter a plenty!”

Walker said volunteering provides life lessons and enriching experiences!

“It is a privilege and honor to make people smile and give them something to look forward to,” she said.

For more information about Cambridge House, please contact Administrator Amber Minton at (828) 325-4980, at aminton@depaul.org or visit us on Facebook.