SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — VINE Sanctuary is excited to once again offer Pasture Pals, a humane education program for children age six and up. VINE is a farmed animal sanctuary that offers refuge to over 650 animals. Home to cows, chickens, goats, sheep, turkeys and many more, VINE also hosts potlucks in the community, sponsors a seed library at the Springfield Public Library, and welcomes the public at quarterly volunteer days.
Pasture Pals allows children to experience amazing animals in a respectful way, while also learning about their unique lives. Based in principles of empathy and compassion, Pasture Pals is taught at the sanctuary by Aimee Bittinger, a veteran public school teacher. Bittinger brings her educational expertise to the program while VINE staff share their knowledge about animals.
VINE is happy to offer this free program to the community. Starting in June, there will be one meeting each month until October. Registration is required, but attendance at each meeting is not mandatory. Participants are welcome to attend as many sessions or as few sessions as they choose. Children must be accompanied by their parent or guardian, and all children must be at least six years old. Each class is two hours long, from 1-3 p.m. and includes a lesson, service project, and the opportunity to meet animals.
Pasture Pals sessions will be held on June 29, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, and Oct. 26. Advance registration is required. Participants can register at tinyurl.com/pasturepals or by emailing Anna Boarini at [email protected]. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and bring water bottles, raincoats, sunscreen or anything else needed for a day outside. A snack will be provided at the end of each session. Pasture Pals participants who bring their own snacks are asked to only bring vegan items — meat, dairy, eggs or other animal products are not allowed on the sanctuary property.
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