Crystal Weber’s pig Pumba made a special appearance at the fitness day event to brighten residents’ days. Billie Eichenseer cradles Pumba in her arms with an adoring smile on her face.

Pam Woodward, a restorative nurse and physical therapist at the Oak Hill senor care facility in Waterloo, watched as the place turned into a zoo last Wednesday.

“Residents love animals and children,” Woodward said.

Oak Hill held a health and fitness day that included goats, a chicken, a tiny pig, bunnies and other types of farm animals. Three-year resident Maudie Brandt enjoyed the change of scenery.

“I thought it was wonderful,” said Brandt, who grew up on a farm. “When you’re in here, you don’t get to see (farm animals).”

Oak Hill residents got the chance to pet all of the different animals. The bunnies hopped their way into residents’ hearts and Pumba the pig squealed for their affection and love.

However much they enjoyed these animals, Woodward explained that residents did not get to have the company of Helping Stray’s puppies. Helping Strays, located at 4172 State Route 3 in Red Bud, is in the process of moving to its new facility between Waterloo and Columbia and could not donate puppies for the event.

“(The residents) probably would’ve adopted the puppies,” Woodward said.

Thankfully, the support of the community allowed Oak Hill to still bring animals into the facility.

“Everyone was telling family members and friends to bring in their animals,” Woodward said.

Recently retired activity aide Helen Koch and her family brought Twinkles the horse along with baby goat Phoebe and a chicken simply named Chicken.

Physical therapy supervisor Jennifer Evans brought in three bunnies; Arleen Kempf’s daughter, Debbie Schneider, brought in Princess the goat; Crystal Weber and her daughter Payten brought in Pumba.

Also included in the event was live entertainment with active participation.

Residents clapped and clucked during the “Chicken Dance.” In addition, a performer serenaded them with  a variety of classic melodies.

Meanwhile, Woodward explained that Oak Hill cancelled many other planned activities because of the rain, which unfortunately took away the exercise component of the event.

“We started watching the weather about a week and a half before the event and it looked like it would be good because the weather wasn’t going to be too hot,” Woodward said. “Then it broke loose and rained.”

Residents originally would have had the opportunity to go outside and walk along the nature trail. If they finished the entire walk, their names would have gone into a raffle for a free massage.

“Even if the residents couldn’t walk, we were still going to wheel them around outside,” Woodward said. “It’s just good for them to be out in the fresh air.”

But frozen fruit popsicles still made their way around as treats and Woodward said that even the Alzheimer’s patients thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Oak Hill’s health and fitness event coincided with National Senior Health and Fitness Day, which took place on the same day. The national event brings seniors together to participate in health promotion events.

Woodward couldn’t say enough about the efforts by staff to help coordinate their event at a local level. Community events coordinator Stephanie Bastien helped by taking pictures at the event, among other tasks, and Woodward served as the event coordinator.

“Everyone helped out and participated in some way,” she said.