Welcome to Sanctuary Stewards

Sanctuary Stewards is a class for individuals who are interested in animal caretaking. Because animal caretaking can mean a variety of things from becoming a veterinarian to being a farrier, body worker, equine specialist or more, we've created a class to share a wealth of knowledge with the next generation of caretakers from those who are in the field now.  

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Realistically, it's simply not feasible for all of us to have a pony or even a goat or pig in our outdoor spaces. Some of us live within boundaries that don't allow it, others have space restraints and some can struggle to find the time to provide for all of the animal's needs when so much is already demanded of them at home, work or school. Through this class, you can have the best of both worlds- time with very loved animal ambassadors and enough room at home to breathe. 

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When does class meet?

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The class meets once each week and courses are divided into recurring sessions. Each session has an area of focus to increase skills and build understanding. At the end of each session, students will be put to the test to demonstrate new skills and will be awarded a merit badge for achieving them. ​

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Did you just say merit badge?

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Because the skills students are learning all focus around building a better understanding of different species and how to care for them, students will have an ongoing record of sessions completed through their badges and can display them on their first aid backpack.

 

Backpacks are a separate fee for the program but will contribute to your student's confidence and ongoing interest in a future of animal caretaking. As students complete sessions and pass their skills tests, they will not only receive a badge to display on their backpack but will also receive a tool for their pack! For example, a session that focuses on teaching the importance of understanding temperature would award students with a thermometer or a session on understanding wrapping techniques would contribute vet wrap to their kit. The more a student participates, the more they will fill their pack with the real supplies we use at our barn in the event of emergencies or for daily care. ​

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Will there be other opportunities to learn special skills?

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Absolutely! We will host special clinics where we bring in experts from our barn. These experts work in different fields of animal care and can answer questions about what it is really like in their field. They will also have a lot to teach on their topic. Attending clinics will also earn specialty badges for display on their backpacks. 

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​It doesn't even stop there! Our partner, Clayton Valley Farms, where Stardust is located, will also be running special clinics for students on topics that contribute to the overall farm such as beekeeping, gardening, ​nutrition, and woodworking. ​​​