The beautiful 4,000‑square‑foot home allows plenty of room for residents. There are eight single rooms and a two‑person suite for a couple. Each room is tastefully furnished but residents are encouraged to bring their own furnishings if they choose. Bathroom facilities are equipped with walk‑in showers that easily accommodate wheelchairs.

There are three separate areas for residents and visitors to enjoy privacy.

The spacious grounds are home to a menagerie including llamas, chickens, goats and geese  which provide  comfort and entertainment. Tonya also brings her two dogs with her when she comes to the facility and they make themselves at home among the residents.

“The animals separate us from other facilities,” Tonya says. “Here, our residents can interact with the  animals. They bring them a great deal of joy. It’s amazing to see how the people react to the pets. It really does make a difference.”

Tonya’s background is in the medical profession, having spent  several years as an emergency room and hospice nurse.

“I went from a life‑saving job to the other end of the spectrum. I feel like I’ve come full circle. You don’t have to be from the medical profession to be involved in an assisted living facility, but it helps,” she says. “We have another facility in Glendale, so I divide my time between the two. I’m here several days a week. I control all of the residents’ medications and monitor any ailments. My job is the medical side of the business.”

Rich is the current president of the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association and handles the business side of the operation, overseeing billing, advertising and correspondence.

“The reason we partnered is because Tonya is a registered nurse,” Rich says. “I had no desire to get into the business with someone without a medical background. I do the facility maintenance and  maintain the business end of things. We’ve been friends since we went to college together in Colorado and always knew we’d like to go into business together in the health care area. We just didn’t know what. The assisted  living facilities provided us with the opportunity. Everything just kind of fell together.”

The partners said their different backgrounds complement each other.

“I have no desire to take care of the business end,” Tonya said. “Rich is a natural at it.”

To maintain excellent nutritional standards, each resident is served three home‑cooked meals every day by a an in‑house chef.

“There’s no fast food or skimping on our residents’ diets,” Tonya says. “We pay particular attention to each and every diet restriction. If someone has a favorite food, we make a note of it.

“Rich and I buy the groceries and we make it a point of pride to not serve anything we wouldn’t serve our own families,” she says. “I sit down with the staff every week and we plan a menu.”

The facility doesn’t adhere to a strict visitation schedule either.

“Family members and friends are welcome to drop by anytime,” Tonya says. “Starlight Ranch is always clean and ready for visitors.”

Rich has enlisted the help of Audrey’s Angels, a nonprofit, Phoenix‑based group of musicians, crafters and artists who visit the seniors at a scheduled time, providing a planned program of interaction.

During visits, the “angels” give musical performances, lead sing‑a‑longs, engage seniors in craft or art activities and bring a twinkle to the eye of residents. As music and art warm their hearts, residents often become more communicative, expressing themselves with singing, conversation or a knowing smile.

“These are not necessarily people you’re going to see on TV or have a hit record,” Rich says. “They’re just caring people who are willing to share their talents with our residents. They come to both of our homes every other Friday and Saturday.   Friday one week and Saturday the next. Our folks really look forward to them coming.”

Also, the New River Senior Center picks up the more ambulatory and communicative Starlight Ranch residents and takes them to the center for activities.

It’s all in a days work for the Starlight Ranch staff, who are there for each and every one of their clients with a smile and tender, loving care.

To find out more about fees and services visit the facility during the planned open house from 10 a.m.‑4 p.m. July 13‑15 or schedule a consultation with Rich. He’ll sit down with you and answer any questions and address any concerns you might have.

“Everybody’s welcome at our open house,” he says. “Or drop by anytime. We’re always glad to have visitors. We’ll be here to assist you in any way we can.”

Starlight Ranch is at 37509 N. 16th St. in Desert Hills. Call (623) 465‑4438 for more information or to schedule an appointment.