Visiting the Herd

I visited the herd down at our Sandwich home this week. There is something quite engaging about donkeys. I’ve never been a horse fan. I prefer to fall off things closer to the ground. But the donkeys, they make me smile. The four of them are petite in size and loudly greeted me when I stopped by the house. I can see why our individuals have bonded so closely with these adorable animals. I noticed their grooming, the clean paddock, the fresh water. Clearly, caring for these animals is a high priority for their team of handlers. Most importantly, the relationship between individual and animal offers those we support the opportunity to be the care-givers in this role. Looks to me like they are doing a fantastic job.



Submitted by:
Chris Gallant

Latham Centers to host Charitable Gift Annuity Informational Seminar with Local Professionals June 11th

Latham Centers invites the public to a free informational seminar on Charitable Gift Annuities on Wednesday, June 11th from 3:30-5pm at the Orleans Snow Library located at 67 Main Street.  Latham staff will be joined by Christopher J. Ward, Elder Law Attorney at LaTanzi, Spaulding & Landreth, P.C., and Ms. Leslie A. Watt, Vice President of Private Trusts with TD Wealth.  The session, to be held in the Craine meeting room, will cover charitable giving and estate planning options, including charitable gift annuities (CGAs), and the option of earmarking a CGA to benefit Latham Centers’ Pet Therapy programs for children and adults with complex special needs.

A Latham Pet Therapy CGA affords the investor/donor a monthly income despite retiree status, as well as a partial annual charitable tax deduction. In turn, a Pet Therapy CGA provides funding for Latham Centers’ Asinotherapy and Latham Lifelong Pet Care Programs to ensure the longevity of therapeutic and vocational Pet Programs at Latham Centers.

Informational session highlights will include:  An overview of investment options, including Charitable Gift Annuities and their risk-free investment benefits. ● What is Latham Lifelong Pet Care and what is the Pet Therapy Charitable Gift Annuity? ● A Question and Answer session with Attorney Ward who specializes in Trusts and Estates, Taxation and Elder Law; Ms. Watt, who specializes in Private Trusts and Wealth Management; and Latham program staff.

More about Latham Lifelong Pet Care

Latham Lifelong Pet Care is the newest vocational opportunity at Latham Centers offering multiple pet care options, including Long-Term and Lifelong pet care in Latham residences, and dog walking services in the community.  Its goals are to:

• Provide paid vocational opportunities to Latham Centers adults and transitional students with complex special needs, including Prader-Willi Syndrome, who are otherwise underemployed.

• Provide the Cape Cod Community with Dog Walking, Long-Term and Lifelong Pet Care at a reasonable and competitive rate. 

• Provide an opportunity to elders to invest risk-free in Latham’s Pet Care programs while receiving tax benefits and guaranteed monthly income.

RSVPs to the event should be made to Katrina Fryklund at 774.353.9126 or by email at kfryklund@lathamcenters.org

For more information, visit www.lathamlifelongpetcare.org.

Miniature Playhouse Makes its Way to the Asinotherapy Program!

Daily, our adult residents work with miniature donkeys; Angus, Moonbeam, Curly and Jake through the Asinotherapy program. Now that the donkeys have become such an integral part of the Latham family, the miniature playhouse digitally found its way into the pen as one our residents showed an audience how to work with and care for our beloved pets! 

You can buy tickets to win the larger replica of our Latham School Main House, measuring 10’ long, 5’ wide, and 8’ high HERE. One ticket can be purchased for $10 and 3 tickets for $20. All proceeds go to support initiatives for Latham individuals with complex special needs and Prader-Willi Syndrome, such as our incredible donkey therapy program! Tickets are being sold through our community partners like MA Frazier in Wellfleet, Seamen’s Bank in Eastham, Sherwin Williams in Orleans, the joint location of JoMama’s and She Sells – The Ocean Edge Shop in Brewster and all Cape Associates branches (N. Eastham, Yarmouthport & Chatham.) Also, look for us at community locations, like Snow’s this Wednesday August 28^th, from 2pm to 4pm, and community events throughout August, September and October.

Submitted by:
Katrina Fryklund 


Related Posts:
Latham Students Explore Boston and Pose with Mini Replica
Selling Raffle Tickets at Snow's
Mini House Goes to Mayo Beach

TIP of the WEEK: Working With Animals

Children and adults diagnosed with PWS  benefit greatly from consistent and meaningful vocational opportunities. One of the most beneficial jobs is working with animals. A person with PWS is intrinsically compassionate and caring. Animal therapy provides a forum for learning new skills, especially skills that teach basic values such as hygiene and proper nutrition. Although the person with PWS can thrive in the presence of animals, they also struggle with maintaining consistent habits and do not typically do well as the full time care giver. So, jobs working with animals offer the best of both worlds; a place to provide care but not being the sole person in charge of the animal. It is recommended that you schedule short, predicable periods of time where the person with PWS is expected to perform predictable job duties but is not asked to provide 24/7 supervision. The often unpredictable circumstances that come with pet ownership could be too much for a person with PWS and should be thoughtfully considered before placing a person in that position as sole-caregiver. 

Latham offers a number of vocational opportunities for those interested in working with animals; asinotherapy, regular hours at the Animal Rescue League, on site therapy dogs and we are anticipating starting a small farm at our off campus children's home. Creating opportunities for children and adults to work with animals is a win win for everyone!

Submitted by:

Patrice Carroll

Manager of PWS Services

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” 

~Anatole France

Related Posts:

Animal Therapy

Latham Welcomes Bo Jangles, A New Therapy Aide Dog

Companion Animal Program 

TIP of the WEEK: Animal Therapy

Pam Nolan and I started Latham Centers donkey certification program this week. This means that in the next few months we will introduce donkey therapy to the kids in our children's program.

Donkey therapy has been used in our adult program for several years and has proven to be a wonderful resource for the adults that are involved. Animal therapy is a great and effective way to teach empathy, responsibility and appropriate boundaries. Before the donkeys will allow anyone to work near them they need to feel safe so the children and adults must first earn their trust. Earning their trust means being gentle, being reliable and letting the donkeys know that they are there to help them. I am very excited to introduce the kids to these sweet animals and I know that everyone will benefit from this new relationship.

Submitted by:
Patrice Carroll
Manager of PWS Services