The Animal Issue July 2016
Horse-Assisted Therapy; Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge; Wildlife Rehab; The Weekender: Woodstock/Killington
Riding it Out: How Horse-Assisted Therapy is Helping Kids In and Out of the Barn
Riding instructor Sarah Seidman stands in the middle of the arena at Pease Farm Stable in Middlesex. Her two students — 13-year old Celina Torres on a medium-size, white mare named Molly and Celina’s grandmother, Elaine Boyce, on the elegant, brown-and-black Windsong — rein in their mounts to listen to her directions. They’re about to…
Natural Connections: Readers Share Sweet Snapshots and Stories of Their Kids and Pets
My son Mason is 6. His best friend in the entire world is our 2-year-old basset hound, Red. They are truly inseparable and love each other beyond belief! From playing outside, sleeping, bathing and even eating, where one is the other is not far behind. Red has to have birthday parties, be incorporated in holidays…
Taking the Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge
Westford dad Brian Miller is on a very Vermont-y quest: to visit every one of the state’s 52 state parks. He and his family of four have made it to 25 so far. When they set out, they make sure to bring one very important document: their Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge score sheet. Venture Vermont…
A Teen Rehabilitates Wildlife in Her Grandmother’s Colchester Home
Two summers ago, Katie Chicoine came home from day camp at Otter Creek Wildlife Rescue in Addison all fired up. After learning how wildlife rehabilitators care for injured animals, she was inspired to do similar work. At 15, Katie has three years until she can get her wildlife rehabilitator permit. So her grandma, Lisa Germaine,…
On Point with the Farm to Ballet Project
Pirouetting pigs? Leaping lettuce leaves? If these things sound improbable, you clearly haven’t heard of the Farm to Ballet Project. Now in its second season, the initiative uses classical repertoire ballet and sections of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to tell the story of a Vermont farm from spring to fall. Ballet instructor and Boston Ballet alum…
A Passport to Vermont Libraries
It’s said that books have the power to transport you anywhere in the world. This summer, lit lovers can get the passport to prove it. For the second year, the Vermont Library Association is running its Passport to Vermont Libraries program. From now until September 1, families can pick up pocket-size yellow booklets at one…
The Sea Worthy Tale of The Pirates of Dingley Dell
Parents who want to relive the magic and adventure of overnight camp would be wise to add The Pirates of Dingley Dell to their stack of summer reading. Published last year by South Hero author and historian Bret Corbin, the adult book tells the true story of a remarkable South Hero boys’ camp in the…
Slam Poets Muslim Girls Making Change are Going Places
It’s been a busy few months for the quartet of teenage slam poets known as Muslim Girls Making Change. The rising high school juniors from Burlington and South Burlington — Balkisa Abdikadir, Lena Ginawi, Hawa Adam and Kiran Waqar — have performed at ArtsRiot, the Unitarian Universalist Society, the Vermont Comedy Club and the Flynn…
Beets & Carrots: Two Veggies to Grow at Home
My son, Henry has always been a good eater. From a young age, he would munch on just about any vegetable and was willing to try “adult” foods like sushi and mussels. For this, I gave myself a huge pat on the back. No need for an endless parade of chicken fingers and pasta, I…
A Shelburne Kid Cares for Creatures Big and Small
NAME: Edward Joczik TOWN: Shelburne AGE: 12 Edward Joczik’s love for animals has inspired some pretty wild pursuits. He’s built cat shelters, carried signs in fundraising marches and protested an infamous greyhound racetrack in Macau. He’s also rescued some creatures from certain death. Edward’s neighbors in Shelburne have a fish tank with a jaguar cichlid,…
The Art Of… Reading to a Dog
At Eden Central School, Ms. Dempsey’s kindergarten students squealed when Becca Reggio arrived at their door. Though it probably wasn’t her they were most excited to see; rather, it was Cora, her knee-high, pointy-eared companion. Reggio’s Swedish vallhund has the charming ability to help kids feel more comfortable — and confident — when they read…
Out to Eat: Blue Paddle Bistro
In our house, the first week in June meant end-of-school madness. By the weekend, the “what’s for dinner” grind had me worn down. So our visit to Blue Paddle Bistro in South Hero came at a perfect time. “We’re going to dinner on an island!” I announced to Leo and Mila, 7 and 5, respectively.…
Farmhouse Family: A Peacham Pair Discuss Chores, Childcare and Life Lessons
Tom Galinat and Hanna Wheeler Galinat had always aspired to live off their land. But it wasn’t until they bought a 200-year-old farmhouse in the small town of Peacham in 2013 that they were able to realize their dream. They now own a Belgian draft horse, chickens and honeybees — all of which help them…
Baby Fever: After Years of Resistance, a Mom of Four Has a Change of Heart
We’re expecting a little one any day now, and no one could be happier — or more surprised — than I am. With my husband and I in our early 50s and our four kids finally old enough to stay home by themselves, we’re enjoying a level of freedom we haven’t had in 15 years.…
Beastly Reads
Looking for an engaging nonfiction title for your kids? Any book featuring cute and cuddly creatures is likely to be a hit. For our Animal Issue, we asked Toni Gildone, children’s librarian at the Chelsea Public Library, to tell us about her favorite informational books about animals. Find her recommendations below. Born in the Wild:…
Keeping Kids Safe Around Animals
In the summertime, animals are everywhere. Whether it’s frogs and garter snakes in your backyard, baby goats at a local farm, or a new puppy at a friend’s house, children cross paths with critters on a regular basis. Dr. Anja Wurm, a small-animal veterinarian at Full Circle Home Veterinary Care in Vergennes, offers tips on…
Feeding Trout at the Salisbury Fish Culture Station
It was blustery and cold on the June day I decided to take my 2-year-old daughter, Joni, to the Salisbury Fish Culture Station. Not exactly what I’d envisioned when planning this summer outing, which included a visit to nearby Branbury State Park. Fortunately, Joni loves an adventure. So, after getting pancakes at Middlebury Bagel and…
The Power of Pets
When I was 8 years old, I really wanted a dog. Problem was, my dad was extremely allergic to most animals with fur. But my 6-year-old sister, Leslie, and I were relentless. We drew up and signed a contract promising my parents that if they let us have a puppy, we’d take full responsibility for…
Vermont Day-cations: Long Trail Brewery, Worthy Chicken Wings, Glassblowing and Raptors — A Weekend in Central Vermont
Though we’ve often driven by the exit on our way to Boston or Connecticut, my family had never explored the Woodstock/Killington area until recently. In an effort to see more of Vermont outside of Chittenden County, we decided it was time to head south from our home in Burlington. It was rainy and unseasonably chilly…
