Founder's Memoir - Green Chimneys

Image of the six Mallard ducklings huddled together.

The Tale of Six Fuzzy Ducklings

June 18, 2020

Founder’s Memoir

Read the inspiring story behind Green Chimneys in Founder Samuel Ross, Jr.’s memoir, The Extraordinary Spirit of Green Chimneys: Connecting Children and Animals to Create Hope.

Written by Dr. Samuel B. “Rollo” Ross, Jr., this labor of love chronicles Ross’s personal experiences in creating one of the finest therapeutic facilities in the world. The Extraordinary Spirit of Green Chimneys is the fascinating account of Dr. Ross’s compassion, educational philosophy and therapeutic practices, as well as a compelling look at Putnam County’s growth from a rural enclave.

Through his book, Dr. Ross shares a lifetime of practical learning and insights to benefit and inspire all those who work with troubled children, and who believe in the healing power of the natural world. “My goal in telling this story was a deeply personal one,” says Ross. “I wanted to leave a legacy that would show what we went through to create and build Green Chimneys, and what it means personally, and in the larger sense. I felt it was important to document the determination and vision it took.”

The Extraordinary Spirit of Green Chimneys: Connecting Children and Animals to Create Hope is published by Purdue University Press.

To purchase a copy, contact Green Chimneys Fund Development at tmazella@greenchimneys.org or order on Amazon.

Mac

Crabapple Hollow Macintosh, “Mac” for short, is among the newest additions to the Green Chimneys Equine Program. Purchased in part through a generous donation from the Parent Association, Mac fulfills the need to carry larger riders in the program. He is an 11-year-old Clydesdale gelding (male) with striking white markings and long, white hair on his legs called “feathers.” Clydesdales originated in Scotland as one of the smaller draft breeds but have been bred to be taller to look more impressive in parades and shows.