08/29/2026
This is just a quick post on our history. My husband and I moved to our farm in Vermont in 2019 from New Jersey. I had had the idea of taking in farm animals in need of rescue and rehoming, and having them participate in trainings we would host through Training Matters for animal trainers, animal care professionals and others interested in how professional, positive reinforcement-based trainers train. Over time, that mission has become more focused on applied behavior analysis as the science of animal learning and behavior change that serves as the foundation and framework for positive reinforcement-based training.
The first animal to join us was Lemon the goat, who had been mauled by a dog and is consequently disabled. The second was Coconut Hope, a little sheep who had been separated from her mother at birth and was then rejected by her and the herd. The next to join us were three large sheep whose mother had died during their birth and they had lived as pets until their guardians needed to move. We then took in two miniature horses from a local rescue. Along the way, we acquired guinea pigs from someone who had an accidental litter. We adopted a pair of rats. My horse, Chance, who has been in my life for 20 years and became my own when his original owner gave him to me, and his buddy Henri, whose owner also needed to downsize her animals, also came to live here. Henri passed away about a year ago.
So, that's how the animals who live here and participate in training workshops were homed here. They are a motley crew of species and personalities. They are great models for practicing the mechanics needed to teach animals skills to exist in the world of humans. They are also sweet and fun.
Know that when folks attend our events, they are supporting the animals in our care. It’s a win-win! Education, vacation, and support of animals whose very existence has been in doubt.
Picture of Chance and the minis at the fence line.
