By night, James Hamilton keeps residents at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) safe in his role as an overnight security guard for the community. Since joining the team in August of 2024, he has become a dependable presence to many, conducting nightly property patrols, checking that gates and access doors are secure and making routine inspections throughout the main building. Beyond his professional role at OAW, James is a talented artist with an incredible gift for drawing portraits. He enjoys sharing his artwork with others and some may even recognize a few familiar OAW faces featured in his sketches. Read about this gifted teammate below.
What do you like best about working at OAW? The best part about working at OAW is the people. I always find myself smiling. Everyone I’ve encountered from residents to teammates and managers, has been more than nice to me.
When did you realize you had a talent for creating art? I was a young when I realized I had the ability to draw. As a child, I used to watch my father draw. I would take his drawing pad and try my best to mimic what he was drawing.
Do you have a favorite medium to work with (pencil, charcoal, paint)? My favorite medium to work with is pencil because I have the best control with them. Lately, I’ve used soft pastels along with pencils for my portraits.
How long have you been drawing portraits? I’ve been drawing portraits for about 20 years. Although it has taken a lot of time and practice to develop, I still feel I need about 20 more years of practice.
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created? What made it meaningful to you? I drew a picture of my father about seven years ago. I struggled through the drawing because of the sadness I still feel from losing him. Since then, I’ve gotten much better at drawing portraits, and I tell myself all the time that I need to redraw my father’s portrait but it’s difficult for me. So, I hold on tightly to the one of him I was able to complete.
Has working with residents or teammates inspired your artwork? Yes, I see the residents walking their dogs every morning and since I wanted more practice drawing animals, I started sketching the animals I pet here daily. Plus, it’s heartwarming to see residents smile at my artwork.
What reactions do you usually get when teammates or residents see your work? I always receive a great reaction from them, even though I believe I can do much better.
If someone is interested in commissioning a portrait from you, is that something you offer? I provide commissioned work and have much of my artwork posted on social media including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Residents at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) gathered for a special screening of the 2022 documentary, Let Us Die, inspired by an astonishing true story uncovered by Forefront Living CEO, Tim Mallad. What began as a surprising discovery inside the hidden drawer of an antique desk revealed fragile and personal letters about survival and loss during World War II.
Following the film, Tim was joined by special guests Walter J. Levy, a 104-year-old Holocaust survivor, and WFAA Senior Reporter and film producer, Jason Whitely, for a Q&A discussion. Together, they shared how this extraordinary finding led to the creation of the documentary and reflected on the importance of preserving historical stories that might otherwise be lost.
Audience members listened intently as untold pieces of history came to life. Walter spoke candidly about the memories the film stirred up in him – some joyful and others painful. Through this journey, the three gentlemen reflected on meeting some wonderful people and the friendships that formed through researching and the making of this film, despite unimaginable circumstances.
In honor of Mother’s Day, residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) in Plano found a way to bring smiles to fellow senior adults at sister senior living community, Presbyterian Village North (PVN) in Dallas, through a special outing featuring music, handmade flower arrangements and cards specifically created to brighten the day.
The OAW community was all in for the effort to spread joy! Assisted Living (AL) residents created 20 floral arrangements, while Memory Support (MS) residents helped create 20 handmade Mother’s Day cards to accompany each bouquet. The visit also included performances by the resident-led OAW Chorale, which shared a selection of spring songs, oldies and a hymn with PVN residents.
The collaboration of kindness grew out of a previous volunteer effort led by OAW Assisted Living Community Life Coordinator, Hannah McKnight.
“The idea started with a Valentine’s Day floral project, where OAW residents made and then delivered bouquets to a neighboring memory support community,” shared Hannah. “From there, we wanted to find a way to collaborate with PVN by having AL create the arrangements and MS make the cards. Bringing in the chorale was a great addition. It all came together as a team effort.”
More than anything, the visit was about making fellow seniors feel remembered and celebrated ahead of Mother’s Day.
If you know Katie Snezhkova, Director of Resident Services for The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), then you know about her love for dogs and you’ve likely met Yuki, her four-year-old Great Pyrenees and favorite furry companion. But you may not know the full story of how Yuki found his way into her life, his journey to becoming a therapy dog or the important role he plays at the OAW community and beyond. We sat down with Katie (and Yuki) to learn more about this dynamic therapy duo.
How did your story with Yuki begin?
Yuki originally came to me as a foster dog. When I came across his post at Dallas Animal Services (DAS) about him needing a temporary home, I knew I could help. Yuki left DAS on June 23, 2024, at two years old. He was just a frightened pup who had already experienced a lot of trauma in a short amount of time. I knew he would need patience, care and a lot of love to help him heal and eventually find his forever family. What I didn’t realize at the time was that Yuki had already found his home, with me.
How did your experience with fostering shape your journey with Yuki?
I took my first foster in 2017 while I was living in Houston. Hurricane Harvey had just devastated the city and there was a huge need for fosters due to so many pets being displaced. Since then, I’ve taken in 129 dogs! I continue because I know fostering animals saves their lives. It’s also incredibly rewarding to watch a scared and timid dog transform into the loving companion they were always meant to be.
How would you describe Yuki’s personality?
Yuki is a big, goofy personality wrapped in fur. He’s playful, curious and convinced that the world is his playground. At the same time, he’s affectionate, loyal and extremely sweet. He’s equal parts mischief and heart!
What inspired you to have Yuki become a certified therapy dog and how did he earn his certification?
Before Yuki, I had Missy, a certified therapy dog who retired after 10 years of service. After Missy’s retirement, I wanted to continue giving back to the community. Yuki, a fluffy bundle of love with the perfect balance of patience and playful quirkiness, quickly proved to be a natural fit for therapy training.
Becoming a certified therapy dog involves multiple steps. First, the dog must pass the Canine Good Citizen test. Yuki and I trained for about six months before he was ready to take the test. To earn his certification with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), we completed a multi-step process that included a background check, a temperament and handling assessment and three supervised visits. After successfully completing those, we were officially recommended for certification.
We’re also a part of Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs (HOTTD), a local group of ATD-certified handlers and dogs. While ATD is nationwide, HOTTD allows us to serve locally while still giving Yuki the opportunity to share his work across the country.
How have you seen Yuki make a difference at OAW?
Yuki has become a fixture at OAW, and Fridays are now known as “Yuki Friday.” People look forward to seeing him whether it’s for treats, cuddles or simply a puppy fix. He brings lots of energy and joy to the community and has even charmed prospective residents during marketing tours.
His presence encourages emotional well-being, promotes socialization and provides moments of comfort and happiness. In Assisted Living (AL), many residents light up when he enters the room and he helps ease anxiety. In Memory Support (MS), he sparks engagement. Those who are usually quiet may smile, talk to him or even sing or hum. One individual was even motivated to go on walks by holding Yuki’s leash. In Independent Living (IL), he encourages social interaction. A resident and her granddaughter make it a weekly tradition to stop by my office on Fridays just to spend time with him.
Yuki even participates in our teammate “Moments That Matter” morning meetings, happily making rounds for attention and cuddles. He’s truly become part of the team and sharing him with others is a pleasure!
What are some of Yuki’s talents?
Yuki has a variety of talents that delight residents during his visits. He enjoys doing tricks, his favorite one being “high five” or “give me ten.” He also has a natural ability to sense when someone needs extra comfort. He’ll gently nuzzle or sit close to someone who might be feeling lonely or anxious.
What types of visits does Yuki enjoy most and how does he handle his role?
Outside of OAW, Yuki visits the Allen Public Library, where children read to him each month. As a trained anxiety relief dog, he thrives in settings where he can help reduce stress, especially during school and college finals weeks. Because visits can be tiring, especially given his size and the level of interaction, we stick to one visit per day. This helps him stay happy, healthy and energetic.
What is a memory that stays with you?
When I first brought Yuki to Memory Support, a resident’s husband shared that his wife was very afraid of dogs. Yuki, being the big, fluffy dog that he is, can be intimidating to some at first, so I let her observe him from a distance. Over time, this resident touched his fur and eventually pet his head. Now, she eagerly reaches to pet him each visit! To me, that is the greatest reward, seeing a small but positive impact in someone’s life.
What keeps you motivated to volunteer with Yuki each week?
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone light up when Yuki enters the room. Each visit is a reminder of the difference a loving companion can make. The bond we share makes every visit special and that’s what keeps me coming back.
The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) stepped up to the plate and brought the ballpark experience to Plano by hosting a community-wide tailgate with residents, their guests and OAW teammates in the line up to kick off opening day for Major League Baseball!
The community’s outdoor space was set up with classic tailgate-style games for all to enjoy including cornhole, horseshoes, giant Jenga, a baseball toss challenge and oversized Connect Four. This provided guests with plenty of options for friendly competition and a few home runs. Adding to the fun, DJ Tom the Music Man kept the atmosphere upbeat with music that had attendees on their feet, rooting for the home team and dancing from the first to last inning.
The menu knocked it out of the park with ballpark favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, chicken fingers, bratwurst, a nacho bar loaded with toppings as well as popcorn, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Cherry and blue raspberry slushes were a crowd favorite and the perfect way to cool off too.
The real highlight of the afternoon was the time spent in community, enjoying a fun tailgate experience without ever leaving home.
Each month, residents of The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) look forward to a special visit from furry friends with wagging tails through Love on a Leash. This nonprofit organization provides opportunities for volunteer teams to engage in pet therapy. Typically, three or four volunteer handlers and their therapy dogs spend time with OAW Assisted Living and Memory Support residents, offering moments of happiness and comfort.
During each visit to the Plano senior living community, the therapy dogs make their way from resident to resident as they gather in the living room, giving and receiving love through playful interactions. Many of the same dogs return to OAW each month, helping build a sense of familiarity that residents appreciate.
Therapy Pets are different from Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals because they are personal pets who work with their owner to provide stress relief to others. To become certified by Love on a Leash, each pet therapy team must pass a control evaluation and complete a minimum of 10 supervised, one-hour visits.
For program participants, these visits offer more than just a fun activity. OAW teammates have reported that residents become more alert and responsive as soon as the therapy dogs arrive.
“One of the most common things I notice after these visits is residents reminiscing together about the dogs they had growing up. While some may feel a bit sad thinking about those memories, what really stands out are the smiles and laughter,” shared Hannah McKnight, OAW Assisted Living Community Life Coordinator.
A resident’s love for dogs is evident by the way they light up when they see them, and it is a great reminder of how much joy these visits bring. Pet therapy has long been known to support emotional well-being, particularly for those living with dementia, and these visits are a simple way to bring comfort and happiness into daily community life. In many cases, just one visit from a therapy dog can completely brighten someone’s day.
LeadingAge Texas hosted Senator Angela Paxton at The Outlook at Windhaven to present her with the Aging Services Legislative Champion Award. The recognition highlights her leadership in improving guidelines that protect property tax exemptions for charitable organizations providing housing and related services to older adults.
These exemptions support non-profit senior living communities across the state. Without them, funds that would support resident services, healthcare and community programs could be redirected to property tax requirements. Senator Paxton’s efforts help safeguard the long-term stability of mission-driven communities, especially as the senior population in Texas continues to grow.
Forefront Living is grateful for leaders who recognize the key role aging services organizations play in supporting families and helping seniors age with independence and security.
The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) hosted a gallery-style afternoon featuring the work of local Plano artist, Kelly Steller Hrad. Her colorful, abstract oil paintings were displayed throughout The Hall as a pianist played familiar tunes and guests enjoyed savory snacks and drinks. The elevated setting invited attendees to walk through the exhibit, talk with the artist and take a closer look at the texture in her work.
Kelly’s connection to the OAW community came through resident and arts patron, Bob Drotman, and Suzy Jones, Executive Director of the ArtCentre of Plano. Suzy is a familiar face around the campus as she also gives art lectures at OAW often on Sunday afternoons. Kelly’s artistic journey began at the ArtCentre of Plano, where she first exhibited her work, making this opportunity to share her paintings at the Plano senior living community especially significant.
Kelly’s work is part of the Reflectionist movement, featuring textured, palette-knife oil paintings layered with color and movement.
“When someone stands in front of one of my pieces, I don’t expect them to see exactly what I saw when I created it. In fact, I hope they discover something of their own within it – a place they remember, a feeling that returns or a story that rises quietly to the surface. My hope is that the paintings open a small doorway to those moments, while the written stories beside each piece offer a glimpse into the experiences that inspired them. It’s a privilege to share that experience with a community whose residents have lived such rich and meaningful lives,” shared Kelly.
Kelly’s art will remain on display at OAW throughout March, with several pieces available for purchase. The OAW Community Life team looks forward to hosting more gallery events showcasing local artists throughout the year.
On March 11, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) the Therapy Department celebrated its one-year anniversary. What began with blueprints and hard hats during the community’s construction has grown into a busy area where residents come to regain strength and improve mobility. OAW resident Sue Wentworth was the very first patient and since then, the therapy gym has become a space for rehabilitation as well as encouragement. Over the past year, the team’s commitment to serving residents and the community with care and professional expertise has remained central to their work.
The department’s strength comes from a team with years of service and experience across Forefront Living’s senior living communities:
· Laura Benoy-Zuttre, Physical Therapist – 9 years
· Lashae Benton, Administrative Assistant – 1 year
· Estee Cahani, Director of Rehabilitation – 11 years
· Sarah Chu, Speech-Language Pathologist – recently joined
· Anna Ho, Occupational Therapist – 10 years
· Donna Son, Physical Therapist Assistant – 5 years
“Many of OAW’s Therapy teammates began their careers at Presbyterian Village North (PVN), our sister community, and developed a true appreciation for the Forefront Living mission, to make each moment matter for those we serve. They knew this new Plano community would reflect the things they already loved about the organization including strong coworkers, meaningful work and residents with incredible life stories to share. These teammates stepped up and worked through all the challenges that came with opening a new community. Without them, it would have been a completely different journey,” shared Estee Cahani, Director of Rehabilitation.
With a full year behind them and more than 100 residents served, the OAW Therapy team looks forward to continuing to support residents so they can stay active, independent and thriving in daily life.
Food quality starts with peak freshness. At Forefront Living, this begins with partners like Hardie’s Fresh Foods, a Texas-based family company committed to sourcing produce at its very best. Check out The Outlook at Windhaven’s Chef Roberto Riera behind the scenes in the OAW kitchen.
