ARK Ministry Teaches Kids How to Handle Animals

Beginning eight years ago with just two pygmy goats from Pennsylvania, ARK (Animals Reaching Kids), has developed into a creative ministry at the Crystal Cove Community Church in Palm Harbor. 

According to ARK ministry leader Susan Cox, the program is designed to allow students of all ages to learn how to handle animals. Cox says the basics of good training are applied: consistency, patience, positive reinforcement, reward, and self-esteem; which comes with the ability to maintain an obedient partnership with the animal.

“ARK is fun and unique because each animal has its own personality and as we get to know and handle them we find unconditional love, a sense of humor, amazing intelligence and never failing friendship,” said Cox.

ARK always welcomes new volunteers. As a volunteer, students will learn how to groom the animals, do health maintenance as required by the many different species, and basic clicker training – a method used by zoos to move and handle large animals that in the past would have had to be tranquilized. The training allows students to participate in the outdoor productions which present the animals to the public at Christmas and Easter as well as other events throughout the year.

“I think it is important for kids to develop a volunteer spirit,” said Cox. “Once a person understands the pure joy of giving their time and work without the expectation of payment, their life is never the same again.”

Anyone can be a student of ARK and there is never a charge. Once a student (adult or child) has taken each animal handling class, they can become a volunteer. They can focus on being a teacher helper, animal handler, or help with barn maintenance and in administrative areas if they chose.

“When people have the opportunity to volunteer at ARK, they truly begin to understand the blessing of volunteering,” said Cox.

ARK has a variety of animals students are able to learn to work with including a white horse, camel, donkeys, sheep, goats, guinea pigs, bunnies, a tortoise, a group of turtles,  two gigantic iguanas and a barn cat named Elvis.

If interested in lending a helping hand at ARK, call 727-771-8600 to schedule a visit with the animals.