20 • The Beacon July 27 , 2023

By Jen Jones

Marybeth Crider-Slater has wanted to work with animals since she was a child .

“ I grew up with horses and one of my horses was used for therapeutic riding , and I just thought that program was so amazing ,” she said . “ As long as I can remember , I ’ ve been daydreaming about having a farm and making something special with it . I love to help people , and I know animals can have a real connection with people , especially when they need it most .”

On June 12 Crider- Slater ’ s dream came true . The nonprofit Slater Family Farm LLC and Slater Family Farm Outreach was started .

She said they began taking the farm animals to nursing facilities during the COVID pandemic .

“ I work as needed at a

local nursing facility , and the staff was so concerned about the well-being of their elderly . Most of them had not seen family or left their rooms due to being quarantined . We decided to bring some animals to do window visits to lift their spirits ,” Crider-Slater said . “ The facility favorite was our huge tom turkey Jake . You could see the joy on everyone ’ s faces and the staff ’ s as well .

“ The staff relayed to me all the stories from the residents of the farms they grew up on , the days they went hunting and reminiscing about the good old days . We witnessed a man with Alzheimer ’ s cry while hugging a cow because he remembered his farm as a young man . These are truly beautiful moments we have had the privilege to be part of .”

Crider-Slater took her animals to a city school ,

Submitted

Marybeth Crider-Slater has wanted to work with animals since she was a child . On June 12 Crider-Slater ’ s dream came true . The nonprofit Slater Family Farm LLC and Slater Family Farm Outreach was started .

and she said many of the children had never seen a goat , cow or pony before . “ They loved asking questions and learning all about the different animals . To see teenagers put their phones away to walk a pack goat through obstacles was amazing ,” she said .

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Crider-Slater said at events the animals sometimes will walk away from the crowd , and the kids always want to know why they do that .

“ My response is ‘ Sometimes being in a new place with lots of people can be overwhelming , so if they need a little break , I let them . They will come back when they are ready .’ Every child has been able to relate to that , and their demeanor immediately changes to a calmer approach ,” Crider-Slater said . “ When the animals come back , I always hear them tell the animals something like , ‘ It ’ s OK ; sometimes , I get overwhelmed too .’ That kind of understanding of emotions is too hard to teach , but when they see it work , it ’ s just so hard to put into words .”

The mission of the farm outreach is to enrich mind , body and spirits through positive and creative animal-assisted services . The farm strives to promote an inclusive , faith-based therapeutic environment for participants and their families .

When the farm outreach makes a visit , they usually bring a mini horse , mini zebu ( a type of cow ), lion-head bunnies , ducks , a pack goat , Nigerian dwarf goats and a chicken . The Farm Outreach is available for any type of group such as schools , churches or service-type clubs .

The Slater Family Farm also started scheduling visits to their farm . “ There ’ s a link on my Facebook page . It ’ s $ 30 for up to eight people . I ’ m making a small storybook trail , and visitors can meet all the animals and take pictures . We have a preschool-size playing area ,” Crider-Slater said .

She said they are looking for sponsors to help cover the cost of a mobile animal visit to groups that may not have the funds to bring the outreach to them .

“ That was a huge determining factor to make the Slater Family Farm Outreach a nonprofit . I wanted to be able to bring the farm to people and groups that may not be able to do something like this ,” Crider-Slater said . “ Our long-term goal is to have a permanent location that is fully accessible to wheelchairs and have a special sensory area for those with sensory processing disorders . But this is probably a long way down the road .”

Right now everything is taken care of by Crider- Slater , her husband Daniel , daughter Isabell Crider , son Danny and Kelsie Donaldson . She is looking for volunteers to help with events . For more information about donating , volunteering or setting a time for the farm to visit , email Marybeth . slater @ slaterfamilyfarm . org .

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