It's a Girl: Farm Welcomes Foal

Whole Family Support

November 10, 2023

It’s a Girl: Farm Welcomes Foal

May 15, 2019

At long last, we’re pleased to announce the arrival of a foal; meet Cricket! Miniature horse Maya gave birth overnight to a beautiful little girl. The female foal, also known as a filly, is already standing, nursing and napping. Fortunately, mama Maya is doing well too.

All winter Green Chimneys students have been learning from—and helping care for—Maya. And as much as we’ve anticipated spring’s arrival, the foal’s arrival has really been top of mind. We’re grateful to the expertise of staff, and the care and consideration of students, for helping mom and baby.

New Beginnings

“Witnessing a foal’s first days and how tenderly the mare bonds with her baby can be a profound experience for us all,” explains Michael Kaufmann, Director of Green Chimneys Farm & Wildlife Director and Head of The Sam and Myra Ross Institute. “Watching a new life begin and seeing the foal’s connection to its mother – these experiences are not only priceless, but they can also be therapeutic.”

Witnessing, Helping, Connecting

For students who may struggle with human relationships, communicating or regulating emotions, Maya and her foal join the farm family in providing ample opportunities for
staff and children to draw parallels, open conversations, and ultimately, help to
care for other living beings.

Support Our Farm

Please help us continue to provide a safe and caring home for Cricket and all of our furry and feathered partners in education and therapy.

Brownie

With the completion of an elaborate new habitat built by Green Chimneys’ woodshop students, the Farm Science classroom was able to welcome Brownie into her new home. Brownie previously lived alone in her cage in the farm and wildlife office, but guinea pigs do best in larger environments. The new habitat allows her to live in a herd as she would in the wild, with many places to hide and ways to practice her skills. Brownie has always been a social creature, and she has taken over the guinea pig herd but is a very peaceful leader.