About a dozen horses and their riders did a slow gallop in front of Amica West Vancouver Sunday afternoon.
Parade participants donned face masks, placards with uplifting messages, flags, and plenty of green and red as they provided some positive light, hope and cheer to the residents of the long-term care facility and private living residence, many of whom gathered outside or by the window in their rooms to watch the procession float by.
The equestrian event also included a miniature horse, a moving sleigh with Santa, and plenty of decorated automobiles as well.
The parade was primarily organized by Julie MacMillan, who operates J&M Acres Horse Rescue in Maple Ridge and whose father, Al MacMillan, is a resident at Amica.
“This year, our seniors are affected most of all so we thought this would be the best way to give back,” said MacMillan. “They were so excited, it was amazing. I think it would be tough to know who felt better, us or them.”
MacMillan, with the help of Second Shot Drill Production Team, have recently completed four other horse parades at seniors homes across Metro Vancouver, including at Amica.
“Amica is so great. The staff are so wonderful to [my dad]. We wanted to do this for the seniors as well as the staff,” said MacMillan.
This is the third horse parade at Amica West Vancouver that MacMillan has been a part of this year. One parade was organized to celebrate staff and residents in April, while another was planned by Giselle Portenier, whose mother resides at Amica, around Mother’s Day this year.
The horses for Sunday’s parade were provided by J&M Acres Horse Rescue as well as Hayburner Haven Farm in Langley.
After passing through Amica, the equestrian procession continued the joyous streak by heading down to Ambleside Park and then back up towards Capilano Care Home, which has tragically been the site of the North Shore’s biggest COVID-19 outbreak and where 24 people have died.
“It was sad but it was nice. We got a few smiles,” said MacMillan.
It’s been a particularly challenging last year for MacMillan, whose mother passed away at Amica West Vancouver last December, leaving her father alone at the care home when COVID-19 forced everyone into isolation months later.
Since then, she’s been determined to help spread some joy to her father and others where she can throughout the year, including most importantly during this holiday season.
“If you’re having a rough Christmas like a lot of us are, just get out there and give. Some of my members didn’t know what to expect with this, and they were all in tears. It was really great for all of us.”
