Program Animals

The animals are the real stars of any Nature Connection program.Every Nature Connection program delivered is a holistic session combining personal interaction with natural materials (plants, flowers, sand, snow, etc.) and animals along with storytelling, crafts, and music or sounds of nature. Though truth be told—as any participant will tell you—the real stars of the program are the animals.

We’re fortunate to have an incredible assortment of wonderful animals “on staff” and are so grateful to the families that host these animals and allow them to provide such a valuable service in our therapeutic programs throughout the year. In addition, we also have a number of “visiting professors” like (catch-and-release) frogs, tadpoles, and butterflies that join us for special sessions. Our line-up varies a bit over time, but over the years has included:

  • Cats
  • Chickens
  • Chinchillas
  • Crows
  • Dogs
  • Doves
  • Ducks
  • Garden Snails
  • Geckos
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hedgehogs
  • Hermit Crabs
  • Owls
  • Rabbits
  • Turtles

Current “Staff”

Mr. Owl : Owl

Mr. Owl

Owl

Mr. Owl, a Barred Owl born in wild New England, now lives with Nature Connection off-site under state and federal education permits after an injury left him deaf and blind on his right side. His presence brings the serenity and wonder of the wild woods to our program participants and teaches us all respect for nature’s miracles.

Soy Sauce : Chinchilla

Soy Sauce

Chinchilla

Soy Sauce is one of two chinchillas living in our office. When he’s not chewing on baskets or treats, he can be found taking naps under his wooden cubby or resting with his companion, Sushi.  Chinchillas in the wild are native to the Andes in South America and actually prefer colder temperatures - Soy Sauce has been known to hop over his pen and turn down our office thermostat!  

Sushi : Chinchilla

Sushi

Chinchilla

Sushi lives with our other chinchilla, Soy Sauce, in an enclosure in the center of the office. Sushi is known for his uncanny napping abilities.  He also loves sand baths, dried flowers, and his pal Soy Sauce.  Witnessing a chinchilla bathing in sand or catching one making their unusual sound is a truly gratifying experience.  We’re grateful for their cheerful presence in our office.   

Albus : Cornsnake

Albus

Cornsnake

Albus, a corn snake with stripes and orangey-brown coloring, lives in a tank at the front of our office.  He mainly enjoys relaxing, though every once and a while when there's a lot of activity he'll poke his head up and watch what's going on around him.  In the wild, corn snakes inhabit wooded groves, rocky hillsides, meadowlands, woodlots, rocky open areas, tropical hammocks, barns and abandoned buildings.  Interestingly, they are very secretive creatures, spending a lot of time underground.  While Albus doesn’t go underground, he spends the majority of his time hiding away in the wooden, cave-like structure in his tank.  

Sammy : Snail

Sammy

Snail

Our snail, Sammy, lives with several snail friends in a tank in our office.  In the wild, snails eat a variety of different foods. Terrestrial snails are usually herbivorous, however there are some species that are predatory carnivores or omnivores. The diet of most land snails can include leaves, soft bark, fruit, vegetables, and algae. While some species may damage plants, they are also kept as pets. As Nature Connection program participants will tell you: if you are very, very quiet, you can hear a snail munching on a leaf of lettuce.