News Archives - Page 23 of 24 - Oakmont Communities

Veterans Helping Veterans: Oakmont shows its appreciation to local vets

Oakmont Senior Communities will honor American Legion Post 253 and American Legion 18^th District for their generous financial support in helping us pair a Guardian Angels Medical Service dog with a local Michigan veteran. This will take place at a special event on July 13.

Thanks to the American Legion, in addition to the fundraising efforts from our eight, local Oakmont Communities, we are closing in on our goal of $22,000, the cost for training and lifetime care of a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog. Whiskey, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, was chosen among 10 service dogs to provide support to a local veteran.

Guardian Angels is a non-profit organization established to raise and train medical service dogs. Showing the high level of ability possessed by the group, Whiskey is specially trained to interact well with those experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The organization has paired more than 180 service dogs with recipients since its inception in 2010; the organization never charges recipients for their service dog.

Music Therapy at Oakmont

Music is one of the most powerful triggers of emotion and at Oakmont Senior Communities we use music in a variety of ways to promote our resident’s well-being, improve socialization, alleviate stress and anxiety, and increase cognition and communication. It can take many different forms, such as playing themed songs, using instruments to create music, or even just talking about music. At Oakmont, our talented musicians are currently incorporating our Grand Piano and visiting harpist to create a music program that is both interactive and fun for residents and their families.

Certain songs or pieces of music are deeply tied to memory and experience, and music therapy can act as a way to unlock that part of the mind. Think back to the most popular song in your teen years, the music that played for the first dance of your wedding, or what accompanied you as you graduated from high school ‐ all it takes is a couple seconds of mentally hearing it, and you’re instantly transported back in time much more powerfully than just talking about it.

‘Whiskey’ voted as service dog to be donated to a Michigan veteran

The results are in, and Whiskey – a 2-year-old German Shepherd – has been voted by our residents, staff members, families and friends as the medical service dog to be paired with a deserving Michigan veteran by Veterans Day 2017.

Thanks to everyone’s contributions, we are on our way to our goal of $22,000 needed to make this happen. This covers the cost of training through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, in addition to lifetime professional follow-up care and the cost of transporting him to his new home in Michigan. Approximately $17,000 has been raised thus far through our eight Oakmont Communities.

Whiskey was chosen for this program after being the top vote-getter among 10 service dogs. Oakmont’s involvement honors all veterans residing at our communities.

What makes Whiskey unique is his special PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) training, which helps him to provide non-aggressive protection. He can even recognize nightmares taking place with the person he is protecting. Often, those dealing with PTSD have a very difficult time sleeping; thus, he can help provide most restful sleep. Whiskey can be described as an extremely friendly dog whose trainers love him.

Guardian Angels is a non-profit organization established to raise and train medical service dogs. The dogs are donated with the goal of providing relief, assistance, independence and dignity to those in need of their special skills.

Many soldiers return home facing unique and difficult challenges including PTSD, traumatic brain injury and mobility issues. By unleashing the power of a medical service dog into their lives, we will help a veteran regain some of their comfort and independence.

It has been proven the presence of these medical service dogs helps veterans successfully cope with such challenges as suicide, chemical and alcohol dependence, higher divorce rates and general health issues associated with a sedentary or withdrawn lifestyle.

For more info about Guardian Angels, go to www.MedicalServiceDogs.org or call (352) 425-1981.

NOW OPEN Oakmont Rochester, A Senior Independent Living Community

Nestled in a quiet and beautifully landscape setting off South Boulevard, just east of Adams Road, this charming property offers the highest standards in senior independent living. Our attractively-priced one-bedroom, one-bedroom with den and two-bedroom luxury apartments reflect the kind of quality retirement living you have come to expect from an Oakmont Senior Community. Oakmont is a Michigan-based company with over 20 years of experience in building, owning, and managing retirement communities in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Oakmont’s continued commitment to the seniors we serve now expands into Oakland County! Come and experience the Oakmont Difference for yourself.

To schedule your personal tour of Oakmont Rochester, please call 248-829-1030.

Together we can Unleash the Power to Heal!

All of our Oakmont communities are partnering with Guardian Angels to raise funds to purchase a trained medical service dog for one deserving Michigan veteran by Veteran’s Day 2017. Our brave men & women are coming home. But, they are coming home facing unique and difficult challenges like PTSD, mobility issues, traumatic brain injury and much more. We can help our veterans heal by unleashing the power of a medical service dog into their lives.

For more info contact Guardian Angels Medical Services Dogs, Inc. at MedicalServiceDogs.org. 352-425-1981

Category Archives: News