Standardbreds Cheer Up Seniors

For many older members of the global community, loneliness has been a major side effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month, however, residents of a southwestern Ontario retirement home were treated to a unique antidote — a visit from a pair of retired Standardbreds.

"I know this pandemic has taken a toll on many, and I feel extremely bad for residents in nursing homes and retirement homes," longtime harness racing participant Amy Turcotte, from Rodney, Ont., told Trot Insider.

In the spirit of wanting to spread some positivity in a world largely bereft of joy, she brought two retired Standardbreds to Beattie Manor Retirement Community in the neighbouring town of Wardsville, Ont., on the morning of May 2.

Retired Standardbreds Mr Tasty and Valvec paid a visit — and brought joy — to retirement community residents.

Mr Tasty, now 17, won 38 of his 253 career races and earned nearly a half million dollars on the track. Since retiring from the races in 2016, Mr Tasty has participated in a number of Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society shows.

Valvec, now 19, likewise enjoyed a long and successful racing career, winning 40 times in 209 starts and banking over $600,000.

"It was a bit chilly, so the residents stayed inside," Turcotte said. Given the weather on that Saturday morning, Turcotte and her husband held their trotters outside the window from the home’s common dining area while the home's event coordinator asked questions through the window. One resident, a 97-year-old woman named Gertrude, weathered the morning chill to visit Mr Tasty and Valvec up close and to feed them apples and carrots.

Amy Turcotte and one of her retired Standardbreds get a visit from Gertrude, a 97-year-old resident at Beattie Manor in Wardsville, Ont.

The positive impact Turcotte and her trotters had on the residents paved the way for a return visit in warmer weather.

"Once the weather is nicer outside, I was asked to return so everyone can come outside to have one-on-one contact with the horses," Turcotte said. "Horses, I feel, have an amazing way of bringing out so much joy and happiness. Words cannot describe the smiles of excitement I experienced while I was there."