The third grade class at Los Olivos Elementary School recently went on a field trip to Happy Endings Sanctuary to be a part of their education program and learn about animal welfare, and how they can make a difference in their community.
The children learned how to properly take care of pets, how and why the animals are at the sanctuary and what it takes to make a difference for animals that are homeless, abused or neglected and that even the smallest positive action can save an animal from a desperate situation.
Some of the animals at the sanctuary serve as ambassadors for their breed, such as Jiggs, a 26 years old Quarter Horse mare, who has a special love for children. She teaches them how to feed a horse properly and how to offer treats with an open hand. The children learned about equine safety and how much it can cost to have a horse.
Jiggs, who had a serious shoulder injury and was slated to be euthanized, was escorted by head volunteer Kirsten White, who held Jiggs while the children took turns patting and giving treats. Next up was Zoe and Billy, the latter of whom is up for adoption. Zoe has a remarkable love for children and she demonstrated it with tail wagging and kisses for all.
Billy, still a bit shy of large crowds, watched Zoe as she created smiles and much excitement from the children. C.C. Beaudette-Wellman, founder and executive director of the sanctuary explained how animals learn to trust through consistent unconditional love and care and how their trust for humans grows when they learn that they are truly in a caring and safe place. There were many questions from the excited group, and the children came up with ways in which they could get involved and hold fundraisers to help the animals at the sanctuary.
Happy Endings Sanctuary depends on private donations to keep their animals protected and ensure each animal’s story has a “happy ending.” In this difficult economy, donations are scarce and they are asking for donations of any amount to keep their program going. They have many special needs animals and the rising costs of food is staggering. For more information, the sanctuary phone number is 448-7138 or their email is happyendingssanctuary@gmail.com.
To make a secure donation online, visit www. happyendingsanimalrescuesanctuary.org. For donations by check send to: Happy Endings, P.O. Box 873, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.