Private pay
One all-inclusive monthly rate, no separate charges for levels of care.
Memory care · Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Two dogs, three cats, eleven hens and one very opinionated goat.
Pawpaw Lane is a 30-resident memory care home on eight acres outside Tahlequah, where the animals live here too and everybody has a chore.
Why the animals
A dog doesn't care what year it is.
My grandmother had Alzheimer's for the last six years of her life. Some days she didn't know me. She always knew her dog. She'd talk to him, feed him scraps from her plate and fall asleep with her hand on his back. When I opened Pawpaw Lane, I wanted every resident to have something like that.
So we have dogs who sleep in the living room, cats who choose a lap and stay there, hens who need feeding every morning and a Nubian goat named Dolly who thinks she runs the place. Residents gather eggs, brush the dogs and carry scraps to the coop. Animals give people a reason to get up, a job to do and someone who's always glad to see them.
— Glenda Walkingstick, founder and administrator
Sample family reviews
From our families
Mama raised chickens her whole life. The first morning she came back from the coop with four eggs and told me she'd been 'put to work.' She was beaming.
Dad doesn't talk much anymore. But Shug sleeps on his feet every afternoon, and he talks to that dog for an hour.
They let Mom bring her old cat, Pepper. I don't think she'd have settled in without him.
Marcus called me at dinnertime to say my husband had a fever and the doctor had already been reached. Calm, clear and quick.
My grandpa was a cattleman. Pony day is the only time he stands up straight and starts giving orders again.
Dolly the goat ate my mother's crossword. Mom laughed so hard she cried. I hadn't heard her laugh like that in a year.
The Friday photo is the highlight of my week. Last week it was Grandma with a hen in each arm.
Glenda helped us apply for the ADvantage waiver and walked us through every step. We couldn't have done it alone.
For families
For families
Ways to stay close, and what to expect.
- 01
Friday photo notes
A picture every week of your mom or dad with whichever animal claimed them.
- 02
Bring the grandkids
Kids can help gather eggs, brush the dogs and feed Dolly. Call ahead and we'll find them a basket.
- 03
The first month
Our nurse calls you every few days for the first month with an honest report.
- 04
Support group
Second Tuesday evening, with supper, open to any family in Cherokee County.
Insurance & payment
Paying for memory care
Most families combine sources. Our social worker can help.
Long-term care insurance
We'll help with claims and the monthly paperwork.
VA benefits
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for a pension benefit that helps pay for care.
Oklahoma ADvantage waiver
Some residents qualify for Medicaid-funded assisted living services. Ask about current availability.
Photo tour
Around the place
What sets us apart
Where we shine
01
Dementia-trained caregivers
The same small team in each household, so faces stay familiar.
24/7
02
Morning egg-gathering
A basket, a caregiver and eleven hens who don't like to be rushed.
Daily
03
Pony visits
A neighbor brings two gentle ponies for brushing and carrots.
Monthly- 30residents in two households
- 17animals who live on the place
- 8fenced acres
- 2012the year Biscuit's grandmother moved in
Our team
The people (and who they answer to)
Glenda Walkingstick
Founder & Administrator
Marcus Lee, RN
Director of Nursing
Dr. Ray Thompson
Medical Director
Amina Yusuf, LPN
Night Nurse
Activities & dining
A week on Pawpaw Lane
A sample week. The animals keep their own schedule.
Mon
- Egg count & coop cleaning
- Chair stretch on the porch
Tue
- Therapy dog visit
Wed
- Garden & orchard
Thu
- Hair & barber day
- Porch gospel sing
Fri
- Fry bread & beadwork
Sat
- Pony visit (first Saturday)
Sun
- Family dinner
Rooms & suites
Rooms with a view of the yard
Every room is private. Dogs are allowed on the bed if the resident says so.
01
Private room
Our standard room, with a window on the yard and room for a favorite chair.
- Private
- Yard view
- Pets welcome
02
Room with private bath
A larger room with an accessible bath and walk-in shower.
- Private bath
- Walk-in shower
03
Pasture-side room
Looks out on the pasture, the goat and the morning sun.
- Pasture view
- Morning light
04
Companion suite
Two rooms and a shared bath for couples or sisters who want to stay together.
- Two rooms
- Suits couples
Ratings & recognition · sample
- Readers’ Choice · Best Memory Care
- Chamber of Commerce · Small Business of the Year
- Regional Medical Center · Preferred Partner
- Statewide Aging Network · Innovation Award
- Therapy Dog Alliance · Partner Site
- Area Agency on Aging · Community Partner
Now hiring
Caregivers who like animals. Boots optional, kindness required.
Visit
Find us in Tahlequah
- 2280 Pawpaw Lane
Tahlequah, OK
Park by the red barn. Biscuit, our yellow Lab, will probably meet you before we do. - (918) 555-0153
- Text us
- hello@pawpawlane.example
- Pawpaw Lane Memory Care
Tour & office hours
- Tours, Mon – Sat9a – 5p
- Office, Mon – Fri8a – 4:30p
- Families visitAny time
Families visit any time. Bring the grandkids and the family dog, if it gets along with cats.
Biscuit is waiting by the gate.
Call or text Glenda to set a time. Wear shoes you don't mind getting a little muddy.