WDMS Animal Therapy Program

We received this beautiful message from one of our wonderful parents: “I would like to commend your animal therapy program! Cadence loves every minute with any animals and is now obsessed with the guinea pigs. That is all I hear about. With that being said I got her 2 yesterday and she is in love and constantly says “I know this from school” … again I thank you!!! Good program!”
We have the best students and parents in our WD community! 💚🖤🤍

A special thanks to our wonderful intern, Ms. Hailey, who celebrated her last day of field placement for the year! She will be graduating from Rutgers University with her Master of Social Work. We know she will continue to make an impact in the lives of children as she embarks on her professional venture. Thanks for all of the support and care you provided to our students and animals at WDMS!

🔅Updates from the Animal Therapy Program🔅

🔸Mrs. Fahy’s class did a fantastic job creating affirmation rocks for our rock garden, where students can visit to read uplifting messages from peers.

🔹 Mr. McAndrew’s class was impressive in their ability to apply skills they’re learning in the school setting at the farm, and had lots of fun trying something new!

🔸Mrs. Cochran worked with students to get the garden beds ready to grow lettuce for the animals 🥬. They even found carrots that hadn’t been picked 🥕

🔹Mrs. Anderson’s students researched enrichment activities with their groups and were able to connect how caring for mental health of animals and humans is essential to wellbeing & availability to learn/emotionally regulate. Mr. Lamastra and Mrs. Habina’s students joined them to share their expertise.

✨Last week was a wonderful week in the ATR! ✨

•Students worked together to socialize the animals, while simultaneously teaching peers to get comfortable in perceived uncomfortable situations.

• Some of our students who used to fear certain animals displayed ability to work through big feelings & learn to trust with time and patience.

• Mr. McAndrew’s class went to Verchio’s to purchase food for the animals. They were impressive in their ability to find their items, work together to add up totals, and complete their own transactions with minimal support! The staff at Verchio’s were incredible and exceptionally accommodating in order to allow each student to practice. Visible dedication and thanks to Mr. Tim, Ms. Doreen, Ms. Pam, Ms. Lisa for taking us, and the rest of the team for their hard work in creating significant progress!

• Students electively jumped in to do laundry, clean cages, mop, and work hard when they could have chose a free period. Impressive!

Mr. McAndrew’s class continues to display remarkable gains in their ability to transfer classroom lessons into the community - they’re learning at the speed of light! They engaged with unfamiliar animals, modeled their ability to complete purchases, and remained regulated in a new space; all while remembering to complete their job, which was to independently choose an enrichment item or product for the animal(s) they were shopping for.

A huge thank you to our wonderful community partner and Owner of EarthWise Pet Mantua, Kelly White, for consistently supporting our program and students!