At Shrub Oak International School, the farm program provides students with opportunities to build practical skills while developing compassion, responsibility, teamwork, and a deeper connection with the animals in their care. Recently, students demonstrated these qualities when one of the farm’s bunnies, Jumbo, sustained a superficial injury.
When students learned that Jumbo needed additional care, they immediately stepped up to help. Rather than simply observing, they took an active role in supporting her recovery and worked together to determine how they could make her more comfortable and help prevent a similar injury in the future. Their response demonstrated the value of hands-on learning and the many skills students can develop through meaningful responsibilities on the farm.
Caring for an injured animal requires patience and an understandingNAL that the animal may respond differently than usual. One student with previous experience caring for the farm’s bunnies helped teach another student how to safely interact with a bunny who might be stressed or frightened because of an injury. This peer-to-peer learning allowed the students to work as a team while reinforcing safe and thoughtful animal-handling practices.
The students also participated in Jumbo’s hands-on care. Her wound was cleaned with betadine spray and treated with triple antibiotic ointment. Fortunately, the injury was superficial. During the process, one student helped keep Jumbo calm and distracted by offering her a freshly harvested carrot, while another assisted by gathering and handing over the necessary supplies. These tasks required the students to remain attentive, follow directions, and work cooperatively.
Their care for Jumbo extended beyond the immediate treatment. The students dedicated their Farm Program time to thinking about her well-being, discussing ways to reduce the possibility of another injury, and observing her condition as she recovered, including her special carrot treat.
Within just a few days, Jumbo was well on her way to recovery. Her progress gave the students an opportunity to see the results of their efforts and reinforced an important lesson: caring for animals requires consistency, patience, and responsibility.
Experiences like this are an important part of the Farm Program at Shrub Oak International School. Working with animals gives students opportunities to practice skills in a natural, hands-on setting while encouraging them to recognize the needs of another living being. Whether students are caring for animals, harvesting produce, or completing other farm tasks, these activities can support independence, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
Jumbo’s recovery was a meaningful example of what students can accomplish when they are given opportunities to take responsibility. Through their willingness to help, collaborate, and learn from one another, the students demonstrated genuine compassion for one of the smallest members of the Shrub Oak farm community.
