ROOTS at Evergreen Grove

08/26/2026

It's a sweet sight when these three gals gather at the water trough 🐴💧

Herd dynamics reminds us that belonging doesn’t mean everyone has to be the same. Each horse brings their own personality, preferences, and way of connecting with each other and their environment.

Tag someone who has a special way of bringing their herd together. 🐴💛

07/27/2026

🌞🐐🐐🐐🌞

07/21/2026

Thanks to a recent generous donation, we've been able to purchase a few items that will make a big difference in our day-to-day animal care. 💚

We now have an electric hoof trimmer, which will make trimming our goats' and pigs' hooves much quicker and easier. We were also able to finally get a hoof-trimming stanchion for the goats, giving them a comfortable place to stand while saving our staff and volunteers from a lot of bending and back strain!

While these may seem like simple tools, they'll help us provide more efficient care for our animals and make routine hoof maintenance a smoother experience for everyone involved.

We are incredibly grateful for this act of kindness and the support that helps us continue giving our animals the best care possible. Thank you! 🐐🐷💚

07/02/2026

☀️ When the temperatures rise, our animal partners need a little extra support.

For pigs, staying cool isn't just about comfort—it's essential for their health and well-being.

Unlike people, pigs don't sweat effectively. Instead, they rely on shade, fresh water, cool breezes, and one of nature's best cooling systems... mud! 🐷💦 A good mud wallow helps lower body temperature while protecting their skin from the sun and insects.

As this heat wave continues, remember that our animal companions and wildlife all experience the heat differently. A little extra shade, clean water, and thoughtful care can make a world of difference.

💙 How are you helping the animals in your life stay cool this summer? Share your favorite hot-weather tips or a photo of your pet or farm friend beating the heat in the comments.

GAAMHA, Inc.
Carl E. Dahl House

05/28/2026

Meet Rosemary—a potbelly pig with a job most people wouldn't expect a pig to have.

She's training at a therapeutic farm community that serves people in recovery, where her calm, social presence helps residents learn patience, build responsibility, and find footing as they process complex emotions and trauma. For someone rebuilding a life, caring for another living being can be one of the most grounding things in the world.

But here's what makes her story matter: not every animal is meant for this work. And taking that seriously—really seriously—is the heart of ethical farm Animal-Assisted Services (AAS).

In the Summer 2026 HAI Newsletter, we take a closer look at animal fit, welfare, and the often-overlooked question of choice. Whose well-being are we serving when we bring an animal into therapeutic work? The answer, it turns out, has to include the animal.

📅 The full story drops June 17:
🔗 https://www.human-animal-interaction.org/newsletters-resources/

When you picture a "therapy animal," what comes to mind—and does Rosemary changed the picture? 👇

05/06/2026

We are all feeling inspired after attending the 2026 Human–Animal Interaction Conference co-hosted by Green Chimneys and the University of Denver's The Institute for Human-Animal Connection!

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and engage meaningfully with mentors and colleagues in this work. Being together in person was a powerful reminder of how relational this field truly is.

Spending time on the Green Chimneys campus was a highlight~ we loved meeting their animal partners and experiencing such an intentional, welfare centered space.

We've headed home with new ideas and lots of excitement to incorporate what we’ve learned into our practice. 🌱

GAAMHA, Inc. Carl E. Dahl House

04/28/2026

03/30/2026

Please join us in celebrating Cathy’s 4-year anniversary at ROOTS! 🎉🌱🐐

Cathy has been part of ROOTS since the very beginning— joining on March 29, 2022 and helping shape the program before our doors even opened. Her visionary leadership laid the foundation for everything we’ve grown into today.

As Program Director and Clinical Supervisor, Cathy fosters a team culture where both staff and participants feel a genuine sense of belonging. Her deep understanding of the human–animal bond creates space for meaningful, mutually beneficial connections—the heart of the work we do at ROOTS.

Thank you so much Cathy, for all you’ve done and continue to bring to ROOTS and GAAMHA, Inc. !🙌✨