Therapy Bunny sparks academic and social engagement for RES students

By Lorraine Glowczak

A fluffy new classmate is hopping into the hearts and minds of Susan Brackett’s fourth grade class at Raymond Elementary School. Since October, Peaches, a 15-month-old Red Flemish Giant rabbit, eagerly greets the students each morning, spending time with them during quiet classroom moments and at the end of each day. The students, in turn, welcome the bunny with even greater enthusiasm.

Taelynn Smith reads to Peaches, the therapy bunny, during
a class at Raymond Elementary School. The rabbit helps
students enhance social skills while alleviating stress
and anxiety. PHOTO BY SUSAN BRACKETTT

The fawn-colored rabbit is Brackett’s personal pet, and she shared the inspiration behind this unique addition to the classroom.

“I noticed that children these days face many stressors that they have not had to worry about in the past,” she said. “As a result, students are dealing with more stress, anxiety and depression than ever before, and attendance rates are dropping. These are some of the reasons why teachers are seeing a lot more disruptive behaviors in the classroom.”

She said that she felt more needed to be done to engage students that were struggling the most, so she started researching some alternative ways to help support the kids.

Brackett discovered that engaging with therapy animals can enhance social skills, while alleviating stress and anxiety.

“Their presence also helps children feel more focused and confident during learning activities,” she said. “For children developing their reading skills, therapy animals can ease shyness and build their self-assurance.

Students have experienced these benefits first-hand.

“When I’m sad or don’t want to be at school, Peaches makes me feel better,” said Sebastian Shamaoun.

Another student, Ella Moreau, said she must get up extra early because her mother is a teacher.

“When I feel tired and don’t want to go to school so early, I think of Peaches and then I get a boost of energy,” she said.

For one student, she gets more than a little energy boost from the classroom rabbit.

“Peaches is a great addition to our class,” she said. “I’ll be super honest; I forget everything and I hate it. I feel super stressed and I cry and become a mess. And then I look at Peaches and I forget everything [about what upsets me] and get calm and get back to my work.”

Beyond emotional support, Peaches motivates academic engagement.

“I noticed that kids who sometimes might be upset or angry, it will typically ruin their whole day,” Brackett said. “When they sit with Peaches, it turns the day around. I’ve seen a huge benefit in that way. When kids are doing work around the edge of the pen, they are less distracted and can get their assignments completed. It gives them an incentive and something to look forward to.”

One student admits that Peaches helps him to focus.

“It makes working on homework fun,” Shamaoun said. “It’s a privilege to get to sit with the rabbit while we work and if we don’t work, we have to go back to our desk.”

There are other ways Peaches makes a positive impact on the students and the classroom environment by being incorporated through weekly activities such as the “Wednesdays Lunch in the Classroom.” On those days, the students get the opportunity to share small parcels of food.

“We discovered that fruits and vegetables are her favorite snacks,” student Malia Borrayo said. “We hide little bits of food under little cups, and she sniffs to find out if there is food under there and if she likes it, she flips the cup over and eats it.”

Peaches also provides good humor and levity.

“We have a lot of favorite moments when Peaches makes us laugh,” Borrayo said. “One day, she grabbed her blanket with her mouth and pulled it into her cage. That made us laugh, but she was telling us that she needed some alone time.”

The rabbit has become such an integral part of the classroom that her absence leaves a noticeable void.

“When she stayed home sick the other day, the classroom felt empty,” said student Willow Bolstridge. “It was lonely without her.”

Loved by both students and parents and approved by the school board, Peaches isn’t going anywhere soon.

“As long as there are no bunny allergies, Peaches will always be my co-teacher and my students’ furry friend who sparks the love of learning,” Brackett said. <

Age Friendly Raymond promotes generational connections

This is part two of a series highlighting the return of Age Friendly Raymond. Last week’s article introduced readers to the return of the program following its long hiatus. Today we will catch up on some innovative connections the group is making.

By Kendra Raymond

Even though Age Friendly Raymond has only been up and running for six months, that hasn’t stopped volunteers from bridging the gap between seniors and youth in Raymond. What started as a small gesture of kindness has grown into something much bigger.

Fourth grade Raymond Elementary School
students Ben LeBel, Nnatalie Hebert, and 
Jack O'Brion play games with their 'Grammy
for a Day' at Jordan Bay Place in Raymond as 
part of an initiative organized by Age Friendly
Raymond. PHOTO BY SUSAN BRACKETT   

“In February and May, first graders at Raymond Elementary School colored ‘Kindness’ pictures for the residents at Jordan Bay Place,” said Age Friendly Raymond coordinator Debby Tarr. The paintings were placed on individual doors and around the lobby and elevator areas.”

The excitement was palpable, and before long, other RES students got involved.

“The fourth graders became pen pals for some residents and a couple other Raymond seniors for the last several months of school,” said Tarr.

Susan Brackett is a fourth-grade teacher at Raymond Elementary School and explained how the events unfolded.

“My student teacher Morgan Burkholder started the project,” Brackett said. “She needed to do a project involving the school and the community. Deb Tarr contacted the school about looking for a classroom to partner up with and when Morgan and I saw the email, we knew that it would be a great fit. Morgan introduced the program to the classroom and worked on the activities until her placement was over around the end of April. I picked up where she left off.”

Brackett says that the pen pal project was a great enriching experience.

“The kids learned what it meant to have a pen pal. They each were matched with a senior. Some of the seniors wrote two to four letters each time so that every student got a letter,” said Brackett. “The kids learned about what it was like growing up during the seniors' lives, what school was like for them, and a little bit about their family and likes and dislikes. The students also learned how to properly write a letter back and forth to someone.”

The pen pal experience ended up having some unexpected benefits as students got pretty attached to their “pal” as the school year progressed.

“As soon as the kids got their first letter, they were all really excited. Every single kid participated in the pen pal letters,” said Brackett. “They were all sad at the end of last year, when I told them that this would be the last letter that they would receive.”

Later in the school year, Age Friendly Raymond assisted a few residents with a visit to the school where the seniors had an opportunity to get to know some of their pen pals.

“This was enjoyed by both groups,” Tarr said. “The fourth-grade teacher wants to continue this connection this coming school year.”

Brackett said that the seniors and students played some games, and the kids were very excited to share some of their school projects, which was a really sweet moment.

“About one fourth of the class also attended Bingo at Jordan Bay Place,” she said. “The students got to call out numbers and serve the seniors drinks and snacks.”

Current fifth grader Ben LeBel participated in the program last year and was excited to share his thoughts about the experience.

"I really enjoyed getting to know different people from our community,” he said. “During Bingo they were actually kind of competitive. And of course I loved the treats we shared."

Student Amelia Wildes also recalls the event fondly.

“I loved bingo night, it was fun calling the numbers and visiting the older people”, she said.

Aside from the community outreach with local schoolchildren, AFR remains active keeping seniors involved.

“Before Memorial Day, we assisted the American Legion in placing flags at veteran’s graves. This is something we plan to continue in the future,” said Tarr.

She explained that community service is just part of the support provided by AFR.

“I have transported some seniors to doctor appointments and have also picked up medical equipment at the medical loan closet,” she said.

Tarr is excited about the popularity of the garden at Jordan Bay Place. She said that volunteers have logged over 100 hours getting things up and running there as well as lending a hand with residents in the garden.

“Avesta helped supply us with a few needed items to bring new life to this project. We have numerous residents involved in planting and harvesting flowers and vegetables,” she said. “Extra vegetables go onto a table in the community room.”

Residents can also sign up for a weekly technology help session hosted by University of Southern Maine senior and Raymond resident Elizabeth Petersen. She lends a hand with cell phones, computers, iPads, and televisions.

“Elizabeth has already donated 18 hours of her time to the residents, and they’re so appreciative of her assistance,” said Tarr.

Looking forward, Tarr said that more support is in the works.

“We are also organizing some presentations from SMAA on the increase of income allowed to receive help with more Medicare assistance, a talk with the Raymond Fire Department, and possibly a presentation by the Red Cross,” said Tarr. “We are trying to widen these support services to other Raymond seniors, are able to find them.”

Brackett says that she’s thrilled to continue the senior-student pen pal project once again this year.

“The students and the seniors seemed to both really enjoy their time together and the letters back and forth. We have decided to partner up again with my new class and continue to grow on what we started last year,” she said.

If you are interested in the Age Friendly Raymond programs or would like to volunteer, send an email to Agefriendlyraymond@yahoo.com <