Did you know that roosters don’t eat hay? And only certain kinds of goats have horns? DBG students learned all of that and more during a beautiful day at Abraham Ranch in Clarkston. The rescue and rehabilitation facility for farm animals operates in partnership with Michigan Humane on 110 acres, providing a lifelong home for chickens, goats, sheep, horses, and more. Our visit was a journey of discovery, excitement, and hands-on learning that transformed a regular day into an unforgettable adventure.
“I thought all farm animals ate hay because of what you see in movies.” said Joya, a 6th grader, who was intrigued by the roosters and different types of goats.
7th grader, Noah, was fascinated to learn about a goat’s digestive system.
“Goats have a 3-part stomach,” he eagerly explained. “They don’t have upper teeth, they have to grind their food.”
Animal interaction is an important component of early education. Learning about empathy, relationships, the environment, and nature are some of the many benefits. The visit provided future career ideas, too.
“Our students had the opportunity to learn about the animals and various careers associated with running a ranch,” said Asiyah Williamson, associate director of enrichment at DBG. “Exposure to these aspects, along with the fun of interacting with the animals, made for a memorable experience.”
Abraham Ranch is not open to the public but hosts private groups for educational purposes. DBG was actually the first group ever to visit. This time around, our students were divided into groups, each engaging in activities throughout the ranch. They enjoyed a hayride where they learned about the property’s different ecosystems, explored various animal stations with chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, horses, and cows, and learned about the ranch’s resident animals.
This is no ordinary ranch. Abraham Ranch saves hundreds of animals from neglect, rehabilitating and rehoming them. The ranch also practices conservation and responsible stewardship, serves as a retreat for people in need of reconnecting with nature, is a resource for education about animals, nature, and the environment, and helps visitors make informed decisions about cleaner sources for food.
Katie Abraham, founder of Abraham Ranch, emphasized the emotional connection students can form with animals.
“Animals have similar feelings to us,” Abraham told the group. “Being able to touch and interact with them helps us understand how special that bond can be.”
The day of hands-on learning and personal connections made a lasting impression on all involved. Thank you to everyone who helped make this special day possible. We can’t wait to visit again soon.