What is Max-Well Farm?
Max-Well Farm, is a non-profit organization in West Branch, MI. It's mission is to enhance the lives of at-risk children through animal-assisted activities. They want to give them happiness, joy and hope for a better future.
Here are some ways Max-Well Farm achieves it's goals:
- Animal-Assisted Lessons: Max-Well Farms provides animal-assisted lessons for children facing challenges. Challenges some kids face are trauma, physical and mental, behavioral, social and emotional disorders, or developmental disabilities.
- Educational Programs: The farm activities and lessons teach children about animals. The kids will also learn about nature. They will learn the importance of compassion and empathy when dealing with animals. These programs include farm tours, workshops, and interactive sessions with the animals.
- Recreational Activities: Max-Well Farm organizes recreational activities where children can interact with the animals in a safe and supervised environment. This includes activities like horseback riding. It also involves petting and grooming all the animals.
- Special Events: A Nite at the Races is an event coming up April 13, 2024. Interested in finding out more about this event or future events? Contact Max-Well Therapy Center.
- Partnerships: Building partnerships with local schools, hospitals, and community organizations has helped Max-Well Farm reach a broader audience and provide its services to a larger number of children.
How Can You Help Max-Well Farm?
- Donations: Those who would like to donate can become part of the Horseshoe Club, give Tractor Supply Gift Cards, Paper products or Healthy Snacks. Check out Max-Well Therapy Center's wish list on Amazon.com. You can donate your used tack, including helmets and boots. Donate your safe and sound horses to Max-Well Farm.
- Referrals: One of the most rewarding things you can do is to help a child find happiness, joy and hope for a better future. If you know of any child between the ages of 4-18 who is at-risk or going through some of life's struggles, please connect them with Max-Well Farm. There is no charge to any of their riders.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Max-Well Farm offers volunteer opportunities for you to get involved. Helping maintain the farm, side-walking the riders, exercising the horses, fundraising and Grant Writing or being a member of the board are all ways you can help.
Meet Some of the Animals at Max-Well Farm
Charlie is a miniature horse. He is 14 years old and is the boss of the pasture. Charlie is who the farm uses to introduce the smaller riders to horses. He teaches the kids how to be comfortable around horses through grooming and leading.
Yanni is owned by Jane and Gene Hutchins. Yanni is a 17-year-old Freisian who has been part of the farm her whole life and shares a pasture with her 15-year-old sister Gabbi. She is trained in dressage and is a great horse for teaching boundries to kids because she always wants to be in your pocket looking for treats.
Some of the Other Animals and Their Story
Dora the donkey- she is a 12-year-old mini-donkey who loves her goats. She is one of the favorites and loves to yell out for treats.
Galaxy- is a Mini goat. Galaxy and Dora have taken a big liking to each other - you rarely find one without the other. All of the goats are very demanding of attention and treats.
Charlotte the pig is a year old and was the runt of her litter. Charlotte was donated to the farm.
She was not going to get much bigger than what she is now. Charlotte takes the meaning of "being a pig" very seriously. She will plow anyone and anything down to get to her food. She is very vocal until her food is in front of her. You always have to watch your toes with this one...she will try them out if you let her.
These are just a few of the animals at Max-Well Farm. Chickens, Rabbits, Goats and Cats are some of the animals around the farm. If you'd like to meet them all, I'm sure you could get a tour!
Max-Well Farm fulfills it's mission of enhancing the lives of children through animal-assisted activities and makes a positive difference in the community.
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