Little Paws, Big Lessons: A Three-Week Journey of Growth and Giving Back

Between May 18 and June 8, 2025, we ran the Little Paws, Big Lessons program, centered around revitalizing the petting zoo at the St. Francis Garden Workshop. Over the course of three weeks, our dedicated team of volunteers rolled up their sleeves and brought both heart and muscle to the table — and the results were as rewarding as they were visible.

• Week 1 focused on heavy lifting: we tore down old structures and built a new duck enclosure. With the hard physical work, we kept to a four-day week.

• Week 2 was all about upgrades: we improved the chickens’ area with new perches and nesting boxes, built a fence and hay rack for the lambs, and started refurbishing rabbit hutches — even the local preschoolers helped paint!

• Week 3 brought summer heat and new life: ducklings hatched, bringing joy and some bittersweet lessons. The team also completed the most visible project — a colorful new bunny petting area, transformed from an old chicken coop.

The group was motivated and cooperative, creating their own schedules and resolving small issues with ease. Compared to last year, we were better prepared and more organized — though next year, we’ll better highlight the physical nature of the work.

All in all, it was a heartwarming and productive experience. If it’s up to us, this won’t be the last time we bring animals and people together like this.