If animals could plan the perfect day out, it would probably involve plenty of snacks.

Gabriel Homes residents NOVA Wild Zoo in Vienna.

The animals at NOVA Wild, a drive- and walk-through zoo in Vienna, had plenty to eat when Gabriel Homes residents arrived. Guests can purchase buckets of feed to hand out during their visit. Knowing the residents love animals, program coordinator Naomi Pariona planned a day trip to the zoo for their day off.

“Going to the zoo was a fun thing to do since we didn’t have work that day. We got a close look at animals we don’t see a lot of the time.”
Gabriel Homes resident feeding animal at NOVA Wild Zoo in Vienna.
Angie Resident, Gabriel Homes
Gabriel Homes resident at the NOVA Wild Zoo.

Not Your Average Zoo Visit

The residents saw capybaras, llamas, and cheetahs while walking around the zoo. Darcy, Gabriel Homes’ animal expert, could identify the animals by their sounds. She also had a list of fun facts for each animal, including where they’re from and how they live.

“The bison were my favorites because they were so huge. They were nice and kept to themselves, though.”
Gabriel Homes resident walking around a petting zoo.
Lucy Gabriel Homes Resident
Gabriel Homes resident walking around a petting zoo.
Gabriel Homes resident with a goat at a petting zoo.
Gabriel Homes resident.
Gabriel Homes resident feeding an animal at a local zoo.
Animal taking from feed in a car.
Gabriel Homes resident feeding an animal at a local zoo.
Gabriel Homes resident petting an animal at a petting zoo.
Gabriel Homes resident at NOVA Wild Zoo

As they drove through the rest of the zoo, residents fed the animals from large pails of feed. Several animals begged for snacks by sticking their heads through the window. Some residents were nervous their hands might get nipped, but others like January couldn’t get enough of feeding them.

“I liked seeing the goats the most because they came up to you nicely,” said Lauren, another resident. “Some of the animals were fighting each other for food! The goats were calm when we held the food out.” 

Gabriel Homes resident with a goat at a petting zoo.

A Sweet Ending!

Before heading home, the group stopped by the gift shop for souvenirs. Lauren picked out an animal notebook, January found a plush toy, and Darcy brought home two small plushies, one of them being an axolotl. Ice cream was the cherry on top at a place the residents hadn’t visited before.

“I wish we could’ve spent more time at the zoo! The day went by too fast, and there were still more animals to see.”
Gabriel Homes resident feeding an animal at a local zoo.
Darcy
Gabriel Homes Resident

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