Love Grows Love presents animal-assisted learning program

Hosted by Love Grows Love Animal-Assisted Learning, a Norwalk-based nonprofit, nature enthusiasts of all ages from Huron and Richland Counties gathered on Jan. 11 to participate in Project WILD, presented free of charge by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Project WILD encourages a better understanding and appreciation of wildlife and natural resources, with a focus on teaching young people how to think responsibly about Ohio's wild species and habitats, their significance, and their relationships to people and the environment. Facilitator Sarah Schott of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources led games, observation, and searching processes to spark the imagination of the participants. Project WILD participants shared that they loved interacting with the animals, appreciated learning how to incorporate activities and the outdoors as a way of continuing to make learning fun, and enjoyed spending time quizzing family members on Ohio wildlife at home afterward. Donna Hammann, of the faith-based Love Grows Love Animal-Assisted Learning Farm, was excited to host the workshop at the Medusa Road farm where Love Grows Love makes its headquarters. "Facilitator Sarah had so many fun games. We loved her style of teaching and enthusiasm for getting kids out in nature," Hammann said. "She brought Wildlife Bingo and we were outside for about 25 minutes in fresh snow. The kids loved it! Another favorite was Oh Deer! that got us thinking about how weather affects food and shelter. In other game-based activities she explained habitat, pollination, and wildlife management. Everyone stayed tuned in; it was so interesting!" Hammann explained that the Project WILD class was important because, at the farm, the favorite kids' activities are the outdoor ones. "Whether they take a horse for a herd walk on the Firelands Rails To Trails (which parallels the farm), fly kites, or look for unique wildflowers, frogs, toads, butterflies, or insects, the kids voice loving being out in nature. There is lots of science supporting how nature and healthy people go together. We appreciate all the adventures the trail adds to our programs, and we can't thank the Firelands volunteers enough for giving to the kids with this nice trail; and now with this Wild Ohio curriculum, we will do even more on the trail." Hammann continued, "Our foundation verse at Love Grows Love is Job 12:7:39. Ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky and they will tell you, or speak to the earth and it will teach you. To us, the program spoke of God's handiwork through the wildlife/habitat teaching. Being in nature helps us feel closer to God. And we understood anew how our actions, bad or good, affect others, like contributing to pollution or planting wildlife habitat." Love Grows Love offers a variety of animal-assisted learning programs for participants of all ages, including ones that focus on the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of veterans and first responders; women's wellness; leadership and team-building skills for middle and high school students; and "Horse-Powered Reading" for all who want to experience how connecting with horses can allow for profound learning to take place, helping participants to become better readers. For more information on Love Grows Love or to view a list of upcoming programs, visit lovegrowslove.org, or contact Hammann at 419-975-0132 or lovegrowsloveaal@gmail.com. The group's Facebook page is Love Grows Love Animal Assisted Learning.