(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Those who live at Springs Ranch Memory Care will now have the chance to enjoy watching finches, robins, hummingbirds, and other feathered visitors since Wild Birds Unlimited installed a bird sanctuary outside the Ivy Dining Room windows on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Bird watching is a favorite activity for many who live at Springs Ranch and their families. It’s beneficial and meaningful, especially for those living with memory loss, as it offers sensory stimulation, relaxation, and opportunities to reminisce.

The new sanctuary will be dedicated in memory of former resident Raye Chavez, who had a passion for wildlife that he passed on to his children, according to his daughter, Cindy Brandich.

“My dad instilled his passion for wildlife in me and my sisters, teaching us to identify bird species, teaching us to fish, and fostering a love for the outdoors,” said Brandich. “Even as his dementia advanced, watching birds brought him joy, purpose, and connection.”

Before moving into Springs Ranch Memory Care, Chavez lived with Brandich and her husband, and asked for bird feeders to be installed outside his window. After Chavez passed away in February of 2025, Brandich contacted Wild Birds Unlimited, where she and her father had been customers for years, to arrange for bird feeders and a bird bath to be installed on Springs Ranch’s property.

Store owners Heather Weber-Langvardt and her mother are donating bird feeders, a bird bath, the labor for installation, and ongoing seed refills, as they believe in both the healing power of birdwatching and the importance of giving back to their community.