FALLS VILLAGE – About 18 children gathered around half a dozen guinea pigs at the David M. Hunt Library on Tuesday, June 30, as Marjorie Borreda and Katie Hamilton of Le Petit Ranch in Sheffield, Massachusetts, led an educational program. The nonprofit organization provides educational and community-based opportunities through animal-assisted activities.
The young children and their parents filled the children’s area as Borreda explained that the furry, cute critters are generally friendly with people and always appreciate a steady supply of treats in the form of lettuce and carrots.
Guinea pigs do not like a hubbub, however, so Borreda asked the children to lower their voices.
“Hush, hush” she said, motioning with her hands until the room was quiet. “The guinea pigs get very anxious when it’s noisy.”
The ratio of children to guinea pigs meant that each animal got to meet a group of three children. Following Borreda’s instructions, the children gently petted the guinea pigs before offering them bits of lettuce.
The animal enthusiasts then had an opportunity to build either a guinea pig house or a guinea pig maze. The houses, made from cardboard boxes, took a little longer to construct than the mazes, which involved setting up plastic walls and ramps on a cloth on the floor.
Once the children had constructed their maze, a guinea pig was introduced. With bits of lettuce and carrot to entice the animals, they soon navigated the mazes.
Borreda is the founder and program director of Le Petit Ranch, and Hamilton is a volunteer.
The organization provides animal-assisted activities, defined as “structured interactions with animals that promote comfort, connection, and overall well-being.”
Guided by trained handlers, each session ensures safe and meaningful engagement between people and animals.
Borreda said the organization also visits hospitals, schools, libraries, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers with guinea pigs, miniature horses, greyhounds and chickens.
