Cheep-cheep!
Hmm, that’s not a sound you usually hear in the Equine Therapy Center at St. Joseph’s Indian School …
Cheep-cheep!
There is it again! You see, for the time being, St. Joseph’s barn isn’t just a place for horses, emotional healing and hay — it’s a hub of excitement. Driven by a lifelong love of animals, Mark, St. Joseph’s Equine Specialist Assistant, has made a point to introduce Lakota (Sioux) students to the wonders of farm life, one baby chick at a time.
The idea started simply. Mark’s own family enjoys hatching eggs at home, and he figured, “If our kids love it, maybe the kids at St. Joseph’s would, too.”
Therefore, every Sunday, eggs are placed in incubators — kicking off the 21-day countdown to hatching day. When the fluffy chicks finally emerge, children gather around, watching in awe as the little creatures take their first steps. The cycle continues week after week, offering a continuous stream of adorable visitors until they go to their forever homes.
Chicks could be just the beginning. With safety as a top priority, other animals may be carefully selected to bring extra joy to St. Joseph’s. Depending on the season and market conditions, baby goats, sheep and calves could be next in line, as long as the temporary visitors do not stress the Equine Therapy Center’s permanent residents — the equine therapy horses.
Beyond the fun and fascination, these experiences hold deeper meaning. For many children at St. Joseph’s, their eyes light up the moment they step into the barn, scanning eagerly for the latest arrivals. The connection between people and animals is a powerful one — teaching responsibility, patience and even emotional resilience.
“Knowing how to take care of animals is a lot like taking care of people, so it all relates,” said Mark. “There is much joy in being around animals … It distracts you from the troubles of life.”
No matter what the future holds, and whether or not there will be a moo, maa or baa joining the cheeping choir, the goal remains the same: helping children find joy in the world around them. And sometimes, that joy is found in the tiniest, fluffiest creatures.
Visit stjo.org today to learn more about the educational experiences at St. Joseph’s Indian School and how you can support these meaningful programs.
