COURTESY OF MILESTONE SENIOR LIVING

TOMAHAWK – James Riley Flannery moved into Milestone Senior Living in Tomahawk on Dec. 18, 2017, from his home in Crandon. Per his children, he has always loved horses, and staff could tell once he became part of our family. In his younger days, he had a horse that he called his “Army Horse.”

Jim graduated from Michigan State University with a Police Science degree. Jake, Jim’s son, said in those days his dad did some detective work for the horse races in Illinois. His cousin had a horse that he named “Riley” after Jim. The first year he lived at Milestone, he proudly would carry a picture around where he was petting “Riley.”

Jim has loved watching the horses in our local parade the past two years. When you pass Jim’s room, you will notice the horse decor and that he always has the animal planet playing on the television.

As time has passed, Jim’s ability to communicate is not as good as in the past, but he responds to the nickering of horse calls from staff.

Jim last rode a horse about three years ago. Staff felt it would be awesome to take him to see a horse once again.

We made his dream come true on Saturday, Nov. 9, when he went to Sunnie and Jeff Mercier’s “Sundance Ranch” in Tomahawk. The Merciers and their animals welcomed Jim and Milestone staff, as you can tell by the pictures.

Family was unable to attend, but were very appreciative that staff made the Dare to Dream happen.