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About a year ago, Fr. Edward J Marino, Scalabrini Villa
administrator, started the farm, located on Scalabrini property. "We
already had pet therapy in place" - Research shows that petting animals
can lower blood pressure and has also improved physical and emotional
health.
Fr. Marino made the farm at Scalabrini a reality by
converting old buildings into barns. Stalls were built, and today the
farm boasts many healthy animals, including a llama, pigs, chickens,
alpacas, goats, turkeys, cows, sheep, rabbits, and some horses. All of
then had special shots and are protected from rabies and have a
full-time caretaker.
Many of our residents grew up on farms. This area was
all farmland years ago. So, interacting with the animals brings back
lots of good memories for them.
Many friends of Scalabrini do they part to help Harmony
Farm. "Many of our animals were donated", says Gail, a regular volunteer
at the farm.
"Our residents had full lives before they came here.
They didn't live in a vacuum" says activities director Linda Muller. "
We really try to make this their home, and I think with Fr. Marino's
dream coming true, this really exemplifies that.
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