The WCS Farm at the McPherson Outdoor Education Center is home to a diverse group of animals who play an important role in every-thing we do. These animals aren’t just part of the farm—they’re partners to our students, staff, and community. Together, they help create hands-on learning experiences, pre-vocational training opportunities, and animal-assisted therapy, all while supporting our CARE and TCI treatment models.

From donkeys, horses, goats, and sheep to dogs and wildlife in our rehabilitation center, each animal helps bring people together. They strengthen relationships between students and staff, families and caregivers, and the broader community. Their presence creates meaningful therapeutic moments that encourage connection, growth, and healing.

Every day brings a new adventure on the farm—there truly is an animal for everyone. Human-animal interactions take place in safe, supervised settings where students can connect with nature, build wellness through animal-assisted nature walks, and engage in meaningful care activities such as grooming, feeding, and nurturing. Each group’s experience is thoughtfully customized to meet their therapeutic goals, whether that’s building social skills, practicing mindfulness, enhancing creativity, or even strengthening literacy.

The kids we serve often grow trust and a sense of calm through their interactions with the animals. One young boy came to us experiencing significant anxiety and an inability to trust others. He began brushing one of our cows every day. At first, he worked in silence, but over time he started talking softly to the cow as he cared for her. That relationship became a bridge—leading to trust with the social worker who accompanied him to the farm, and eventually to deeper healing and connection.

All of our animals are rescues, and many of our students recognize themselves in their stories. Caring for animals who have experienced trauma helps our kids understand healing in a deeply personal way. When we are able to release a rehabilitated wild animal back into its natural habitat, it becomes a powerful celebration—one that symbolizes hope, resilience, and new beginnings for the children who witness it.

Why Animals Help Heal

Animals have a unique ability to support emotional healing in ways that feel safe and nonjudgmental. They offer unconditional acceptance, respond honestly to human behavior, and live fully in the present moment—qualities that help students regulate emotions and build trust. Research shows that interacting with animals can reduce stress hormones, lower anxiety, and increase feelings of calm and connection.

For children who have experienced trauma, animals provide a steady, predictable presence. They help students practice empathy, patience, and responsibility while rebuilding a sense of safety and self-worth. These moments—quiet grooming sessions, shared walks, gentle routines—often become the foundation for emotional regulation and healthy relationships beyond the farm.

How You Can Help

Supporting our farm animals is a meaningful way to support our students and programs. The cost of food, veterinary care, shelter, and daily upkeep adds up quickly, and your support helps ensure our animals—and the important work they do with our kids—can continue.

You can choose to make a one-time donation through our Friends of the Farm fund or become a monthly sponsor of your favorite animals through our Adopt-an-Animal fund, launching in February, 2026. If you’d like to learn more about our Outdoor Education program or take a tour, please contact our Development team at development@waterfordcs.org or call 860-442-9454 x 4106.

When you support the WCS Farm, you’re caring for animals while also giving kids a safe, supportive place to heal, grow, and thrive.