Renaissance Marquis Residents Warmly Welcome Backyard Pets

Barnyard chickens are innovative part of pet therapy, designed to stimulate memories for Alzheimer’s care residents

ROME, Ga. (May 9, 2016) – Renaissance Marquis’ residents in The Harbor, a memory care residence, have recently welcomed two chickens as their backyard pets. The chickens are free range and spend much of their time roaming around the back patio.

“Our Harbor courtyard is always a calming and relaxing atmosphere where our Alzheimer’s residents enjoy sitting, talking, and now visiting with the chickens,” Renita Carnes, Executive Director of Renaissance Marquis Retirement Village, said.

“We wanted to bring chickens in because many of our residents grew up raising chickens in their farm or yard. We wanted a rooster specifically so it would spark the memory of waking up to a rooster crow,” said David Duke, Renaissance Marquis’ Harbor Life Enrichment Coordinator.

There is one hen and one rooster. They arrived at their new home of Renaissance Marquis on Monday, April 25. Their names are still to be decided, and residents are currently holding a contest to name the chickens.

“These chickens have been great for the residents. Pet therapy is very beneficial in memory care residents. They really enjoy sitting outside and watching the chickens. It brings back some good memories of their childhood,” Duke said.

“The residents’ faces truly light up when they see the chickens. The interaction is therapeutic, plus it encourages the residents to get outside and get involved in our activity program. I love seeing how much excitement they bring our memory care residents,” Carnes said.

About Renaissance Marquis

Situated on 11 beautiful acres at 3126 Cedartown Hwy SW, Renaissance Marquis is an assisted living and personal care home in Rome, Ga., that offers independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer’s care services in a safe, attentive, homelike atmosphere. The facility, which is conveniently accessible to all points in Northwest Georgia, is committed to serving the greatest generation with honor, respect, faith and integrity. More information is available at renaissancemarquis.com or by calling (706) 295-0014.

Renaissance Marquis is part of a family of senior living communities throughout the Southeast owned and/or operated by Legacy Senior Living of Cleveland, Tenn. The parent company specializes in offering independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimer’s care services. It was founded in 2002 by Barry Ray and Bryan Cook, senior living industry veterans. More information is available at legacysl.net.