Weyburn's Therapeutic Animal Park has been operating for nearly 30 years, bringing together the beauty and variety of nature with the joy and curiosity of childhood. Visiting the park can be nostalgic for some - and it can be a new adventure for others.
The park is open to the public from sometime in May until about September or October, with weather being the determinate factor of how soon and for how long it's operational. There is no charge to visit the animals or to bring children to romp on the play structures.
Since 2005, the park has been located just west of the Tatagwa View nursing home and prior to that, it was located within the former Souris Valley Regional Care Centre grounds.
The residents of Tatagwa View, their families and many others love to sit in the park, watch the children playing and the animals grazing.
Don Sealy and his family are continually working towards another great season at the Therapeutic Animal Park. This past week, the animals started moving in for the season, making their summer homes there.
Depending on what animals are available through donations from farms, the park generally includes a donkey, some rabbits, ducks, chicken, sheep and pigs.
Sealy has been in charge of managing the park for more than 25 years - strictly as a volunteer, he must raise funds, feed the animals and maintain the park. Sometimes, the private, non-profit organization has been supported financially by Sealy himself.
"I figure about $20,000 per year," said Don of how much it takes to keep the park operating.
"Volunteer work is expensive," said Don's wife, Norma Sealy. "That's why it's hard to find volunteers."
Don and Norma noted that this year, however, two groups so far have volunteered their time and manual labour to clean up the park to prepare it for the new season.
"Everything is beautiful," Don said, noting that one local woman, who prefers not to be named, organized a work bee earlier in May because she loves bringing her kids to visit the animals and she recognizes what a big job it is to upkeep the park.
The Family Place held a work bee to help out at the Animal Park on the long weekend and had quite a large turnout of people.
For most people, it's not about the recognition, but for the love of the park.
Plans are in place for some landscaping, which will include some flower beds and brick features.
Challenges in running the park include providing adequate shelter for the animals and parking for visitors, as well as keeping pavement on the paths and the grounds clean and safe for all.
"We are in continual need of funding to meet our obligations for upkeep, feed and care for our animals," said Norma, "and we appreciate any and all monetary and physical help. With generous donations of time and money, we have been able to open our park every spring and we thank each and every one!"
Tax receipts are issued for all monetary donations to the Weyburn Therapeutic Animal Park.
