“Being involved in clubs, helping others, and fostering social connections enhance my well-being. At Ann’s Choice, I can do it all,” said Naureen Schnee, a resident of the Erickson Senior Living community in Bucks County.
To support residents in their wellness journeys, Erickson Senior Living is investing $500 million in upgrades to its communities, focusing on amenities and activities that are tied to physical, mental, and spiritual health.
At Ann’s Choice, Erickson Senior Living’s investment brought several enhancements to the community, including the printing of a guidebook created by the Well-Being Committee and the creation of an outdoor dog park – both of which Naureen has ties to.
As a member of the Well-Being Committee, Naureen helps plan informational sessions with experts in the wellness field. And as the leader of the Feather and Fur Babies Pet Club, she emphasizes the mental and physical health benefits of having a furry companion.
“I started the Feather and Fur Babies Pet Club soon after I moved here three years ago,” said Naureen, a pet parent herself. “Having a pet is crucial to my well-being.”
She added, “The new dog park has been a game changer for many club members. So many residents have told me that they wouldn’t have moved here if they couldn’t bring their pets. They’re like family to us.”
Since its creation, the club has hosted a presentation by the Warminster Police Department that demonstrated how police dogs are trained and welcomed a bright-eyed owl on campus to celebrate the community’s resident-named mascot – Bart the owl.
“At one of our events, therapy dogs came on campus,” recalled Naureen. “They brought six dogs and talked about the emotional benefits of having a therapy dog, such as reduced anxiety and increased ‘happy’ endorphins.”
In fact, two of the residents at the event went through the training and certification to make their dogs therapy dogs.
“Seeing residents enhance their well-being through the club is so rewarding,” she says.
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