Cobb Street School students in first and second grade got up close and personal with nearly 200 horses living at the Duchess Sanctuary near Oakland, Ore., during a recent field trip to the facility.
The visit by the 15 students, their teacher, Kim Fischer, and several parents was the first visit by school students since the sanctuary began receiving horses last summer. The Duchess Sanctuary is one of the direct animal-care centers owned and operated by The Humane Society of the United States, and is funded solely by private donations.
Two days earlier, the children learned basic facts about horses and the Duchess Sanctuary from Scott Beckstead, senior state director in Oregon for The HSUS. Beckstead, a lifelong equestrian, is also the father of one of the students in the class. He explained to the children the concept of a sanctuary, and why animal sanctuaries are needed.
"The kids at Cobb Street School are taught that they must treat each other with kindness, respect and responsibility," said Beckstead. "Those are the very same rules for how we treat the horses at the Duchess Sanctuary. These children understood why it's important to apply those principles to animals, just as they do each other."
Upon their arrival, the students met Zena, a young mare who had been rescued from a neglectful situation and brought to the sanctuary to live in peace. With Zena as his willing assistant, Beckstead instructed the students on proper etiquette and safety when handling horses. The students each got to pet Zena and ask questions about her and the other horses.
The students also watched the herd of big draft horses in their field, and were amazed when several of its members galloped to the fence to examine the small crowd.
Jennifer Kunz, the ranch manager at the Duchess Sanctuary, led the tour of the facility and answered the students' questions about how the horses were cared for, what their needs are and what was involved in the daily routine. Kunz explained that all the horses' needs were provided for, including food, regular veterinary care and most importantly, the chance to form their own groups and enjoy each other's company. She also told the students that some of the horses have ailments and disabilities that require special attention by the sanctuary staff.
At the close of their visit, the students presented Kunz with a large supply of apples, carrots and peppermint candies, to be given to the horses as treats. The students returned to class with the assignment of writing a story that begins, "If I was a horse living at the Duchess Sanctuary, I would love to…"
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The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by nearly 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
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