GREENFIELD – A project born out of a little girl’s love for sheep has grown to help more than 40 children with disabilities have opportunities to connect with each other and animals.
Hancock County Poss-Abilities turns one year old this spring, and a “Meet and Greet” event coming up this Friday will help connect current children in the program with mentors and animals, and answer questions of new families interested in joining.
And it all started with one little girl that is making strides. Emily and Justin Meckel wanted to see their daughter Emery have the same opportunities as other children. Emery, 6, was born with Down syndrome and schizencephaly. The Meckels started Hancock County Poss-Abilities for anyone ages 3 to 25 with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities to learn more about livestock and connect with others.
“Developmentally and socially, she has overcome so much this past year,” said Emily Meckel, founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization. “I feel like a lot of that is due to her school – she attends Eastern (Hancock) — but also in gaining friends in the Poss-Abilities program. It has really helped her be more social.”
Participants in Poss-Abilities are matched and paired with a mentor at the spring event, based on the type of species they’re interested in and age. The mentor and family own, feed and house the animal, and mentors teach participants all about how to care for the animals. Mentors and participants join together for a summer showcase event each June.
This year, the spring Meet and Greet is at 6:30 p.m. this Friday, March 22; the non-competitive showcase is June 27. Both events take place at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.
The first year of the program – 2023 – had 29 participants showing sheep, goats and rabbits. This year will see more participants and more mentor families with a variety of animals, adding llamas, alpacas and swine. So far, 44 children are signed up for 2024.
“I definitely think that shows there’s a need for this, and the positivity that has spread within the community and beyond,” Meckel said. “We’re reaching kids from Hancock County, Boone County, Rush—it’s not just been Hancock County, we’ve got the surrounding areas as well that will be participating.”
In addition to farm visits with mentor families, participants will be invited to several day camps, hosted by Agape Therapeutic Riding (horses), Remarkable Ranch (highland cattle), and possibly even a puppy camp.
The group strives to build strong bonds between youth and families that last a lifetime as peers interact over a love of animals, regardless of ability.
The Meet & Greet event March 22 will include ice breakers, a keynote speaker and dinner. The event will answer questions and get new families connected, but Meckel encourages families to reach out any time to learn more. Applications are at hancockpossabilities.com and more information is also at facebook.com/hancockpossabilities.
“We’re just trying to give the kids more opportunities to be as involved int he community as their peers are, and also give them the same kind of opportunities as their peers,” Meckel said.
