Ezra is a 20-year-old 2,000 pound European Belgian, with a heart as big as he is. Last January, Ezra lost his work partner of 12 years. He no longer had to work, however he still needed a purpose in life.

That’s when news of the Delta Society crossed our path. The Delta Society is a not-for-profit organization of pet owners, volunteers, therapists, educators, veterinarians and other health professionals. Their mission is to improve human health through the use of service and therapy animals. Registered pet partners bring the physical and emotional benefits of human-animal interaction to people in nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, group homes and hospices, just to name a few. After many years of doing hayrides, field trips, weddings and numerous other activities involving the public, it seemed that the Delta Society would be a perfect fit for Ezra.

After I completed the volunteer training program and Ezra completed his health screening, we had to pass a skills and aptitude test. The overall exam was to test how comfortable Ezra would be when examined by a stranger and how he and I would interact as a team in a public setting. I was to act as Ezra’s advocate and would help him become comfortable in different situations. You can imagine the over-exuberant, frequent and clumsy petting, the restraining hugs, the gesturing individuals, the noise and yelling, the inadvertent bumps and the crowds Ezra would have to face — in his new job as a therapy animal.

I am pleased to say that we both passed the exam with flying colors. I was a nervous wreck, but Ezra was a rock. He was his normal calm, cool and collected self. It was a funny scene when we pulled up to the RISPCA for our test. The volunteers were expecting to evaluate a little Shetland pony. When they saw the trailer pull in they exclaimed that there was no pony in there! You can imagine their surprise at 2,000-pound Ezra! Incidentally, we were told that Ezra is the first horse in RI to be registered as a Pet Assisted Therapy Animal. I bet he’s the largest therapy animal in RI as well!

With most Animal Assisted Activities/Therapies, it is customary to bring the animal to the hospital, school or other facility. Our intention is to have clients come to us at our farm — and enjoy not only Ezra but also the fresh air and change of scenery.

We welcome anyone interested to contact me at Chepachet Farms. Please call (401) 568-9996 or email me at chep.farm@cox.net.

For more information on the Delta Society, visit their web site at www.deltasociety.org. The RISPCA will be hosting two pet assisted therapy workshops at their facility in East Providence on March 4,2007 and August 5, 2007. For more information, please call Liz at (401) 438-8150 or email her at lvaughn@rispca.com.

Jody Esposito
Chepachet Farms
chep.farm@cox.net
(401) 568-9996

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