We want to extend a special thank you to the staff of AAA Michigan’s Finance Department, who showed their holiday spirit by sewing and stuffing more than 200 stockings for the residents of Oakmont Manor and Oakmont Sterling! It was a great way to help celebrate the season, and add a little joy to everyone’s year.
From our family to yours, we say Happy Holidays!
The following letter was read during the Oakmont Communities Veteran’s Ceremony on Thursday, November 9th, 2017:
Dear Oakmont Senior Communities:
I was pleased to be invited to your ceremony in honor of the new partnership between Whiskey and a Michigan veteran. I’m confident Whiskey will be able to be by this veteran’s side and be a terrific service companion. Please accept my sincerest thanks for supporting this wonderful opportunity for someone who put their life on the line for their country.
All my best,
ROCHESTER, MI – On Thursday, November 9th, Oakmont Rochester Independent Senior Living Community will proudly host a celebratory Veteran’s Day-themed ceremony awarding a United States Army veteran with a medical service dog named Whiskey.
Trained by Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, a 501(C)3 is based in Williston, Florida, Whiskey’s unique skill set enables him to mitigate the challenges associated with several disabilities, including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, glucose imbalance, mobility issues, hearing impairment and more. This adoption is facilitated at no cost to the recipient veteran thanks to the more than $22,000 raised by Oakmont seniors, their families, and staff.
In attendance at the ceremony, which will include a catered red, white, and blue-themed lunch, as well as a half-hour program, will be more than 150 Oakmont seniors, including more than 70 veterans, from the organization’s 10 properties throughout Southeast Michigan. Representatives and employees from Oakmont, as well as elected officials and members of the American Legion, will also be on hand to take part in the ceremony.
“This event isn’t only about honoring the awarding of Whiskey to a well-deserving American Hero, it’s also about celebrating the efforts of hundreds of Oakmont seniors who helped to raise the funds to make it possible,” said Katherine Kalaydjian, Oakmont’s Director of Operations. “From the get-go, it was our seniors who spearheaded this effort and helped bring this wonderful day, and wonderful event, to fruition.”
“It’s an honor to host this kind of event in our community,” said David Weller, Oakmont Rochester Independent’s Executive Director. “To bring so many people together who worked so hard to raise this money is really something special. I look forward to seeing all of our veterans gathered together in celebration.”
The ceremony begins at 11 am and, due to space limitations, is not open to the public. An organization-wide charitable effort is undertaken each year by Oakmont Senior Communities and its residents to give back to the community.
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Oakmont Senior Communities is a family-owned, Michigan-based company that has served the seniors of Metro Detroit for more than two decades. With locations in Rochester, Clinton Township, Northville, Livonia, and Sterling Heights, Oakmont offers many different living options to suit the needs of all seniors including Independent Living, Enhanced Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.
At Oakmont Senior Communities, we believe that Assisted Living & Memory Care is not just enriching lives, but is also about making new memories for each and every resident we serve. That’s why when innovative and unique programs, partnerships and collaborations present themselves for our residents, we’re excited to participate.
One such program was the Intergenerational Pen Pal Program that paired seniors from our Oakmont Sterling Assisted Community with students from Angus Elementary in Sterling Heights. Thanks to a great from the Extra Credit Union, the students and their senior pen pals were able to share letters, make new memories, and even spend some time talking in person.
This kind of program is just one example of the fantastic work our activity staff is organizing in our Assisted Living and Memory Care units. Stay tuned to Oakmont’s News for more highlights from our one-of-a-kind care programs.
Whiskey is a service dog rescued and specially trained by Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, INC located in Williston, Florida. He will spend his adult life in service to a veteran experiencing ongoing effects of the tolls of service.
Oakmont Senior Communities residents, staff, veterans, friends, and families participated in an organization-wide fundraiser, raising $22,000 to facilitate Whiskey’s training and donation to a deserving veteran.
Whiskey will be awarded to a Michigan veteran of the United States Army in a ceremony at Oakmont Rochester in November. His adoption will be at no cost to the veteran thanks to the funds raised by Oakmont.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs are trained to do the following:
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally, must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. For example, in a hospital, it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, INC is one of the nation’s most trusted and highly-rated 501(C)3 non-profit medical service dog organizations operating today. Having paired more than 200 individually trained medical service dogs with deserving recipients since beginning in 2010, Guardian Angels depends on the support of the community to continue their mission. Find out more on their website.
