Students in the Outreach 1 class at Columbia Middle School have been focusing on therapy animals for their projects throughout the fall. Working with Dreamweaver Equine Center in Ringoes, a nonprofit organization that provides equine therapy to children with special needs and cancer, students organized fundraisers, handcrafted items for Dreamweaver to sell at its upcoming Spring Showcase, educated students and the community about the benefits of animal therapy, promoted volunteerism, and hosted a Lunch & Learn.
As part of the project, students took a field trip to Dreamweaver Equine Center, where they toured the facility, groomed and petted the horses, met the other therapy animals (donkeys, goats, sheep, and cats), and learned more about the children served by the organization. They also delivered the items they had created for the Spring Showcase, along with a donation.
Additionally, students hosted therapy teams from Creature Comfort Pet Therapy, a local nonprofit that brings pet therapy to schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and other settings. CMS students enjoyed the opportunity to sign up and visit with the therapy dogs during their EP.
What a great job, CMS!