Nursing homes get visits from the Easter Bunny, miniature horses and therapy dogs

Nursing homes and retirement communities across the country found new ways to celebrate Easter this year, while still adhering to social distancing rules. With COVID-19 spreading across the country, and senior citizens being some of the most vulnerable to the virus, staff at these facilities were challenged to make the day special, and safe, for their residents.

At one retirement community in Jamesville, N.Y., the Easter Bunny came to wave through the windows and blow kisses.

Meanwhile, in Kentucky it was miniature horses who were brought to do a parade outside the residents’ windows.

In West Virginia, residents at one nursing home were greeted by the Easter Bunny and a group of therapy dogs.

"It brings a smile to their face. For many of the residents they haven't seen anyone except for staff members for the last several weeks. They absolutely love animals and people coming up to their window to brighten their day," Nicole Dulaney, who works at Amedisys Hospice Care, told local news station WDTV.

The Easter Bunny also made visits in Alabama and Virginia.

One nursing home in New York, meanwhile, got Governor Andrew Cuomo, who visited a facility near Albany to thank them for donating 35 ventilators to a hospital in New York City. He also dropped off cookies that were made by his daughters.

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