Beta Fish Helps Educate and Entertain Children in Shelter By Jamie Aumiller Case Manager at St. Anthony Family Shelter
I was gifted a beautiful Beta fish for my 40th birthday. Some say he just makes them feel good because he is There were two problems; where to put him and what to name always willing to lend a gill, whether it be for fashion advice, him. I realized that my pets at what to do for dinner or if you have had home wouldn’t take too kindly to a rough day and need to let off steam. It is difficult to find someone who is an addition to the family, and the We don’t have to go far to find research non judgmental, gives you time to speak your only way to come up with a name that supports how keeping and caring mind and never interrupts what you are saying. was to let the children in the for pets is beneficial. shelter name him. The children agreed that when watching him One of the bonuses is that he swim around his home with his bright colors, the only fitting presents an opportunity for a reward. Feeding Galaxy is a name was Galaxy. coveted event. Adults, though, can be a bit sneaky, sometimes dropping an extra pinch of food here and there. I haven’t heard Galaxy quickly settled into his home with a view of Galaxy complain about this... everything in the office. One of his favorite activities is having the children read to him. Galaxy’s other past time is supervising the child architects as they engineer their Lego creations. The Q & A with Galaxy only thing he doesn’t seem to like are the dinosaur toys. Q: What’s your favorite food? Whether it is natural or something Galaxy grew into, he Galaxy: Beta color enhancing food meal worms. Anything that I has become a social fixture, receiving visitors from our agency can convince someone to drop in the tank! through the week. When parents need to focus on interaction with myself, Galaxy keeps the children company, entertains Q: What’s your favorite past time? them and encourages good behavior. Galaxy: The children reading to me. My favorites are Dr. Seuss books, “The Way I feel” and “Pet the Cat”. Clients, staff and volunteers alike have realized Mr. Galaxy’s knack as a keen listener. It is difficult to find someone who is Q: What is your main job? non judgmental, gives you time to speak your mind and never Galaxy: To listen, lend a gill, comfort and support anyone who interrupts what you are saying. passes my way. I really have the best job!
Adult Day Services Update Adult Day Services is at it again spreading love with ICT Rocks. They have hidden several at the Keeper of the Plains, Sedgwick County Park and Riverside. Tag us on Facebook when you find them! Arrowhead West, a sister program assisting with children and adults with developmental disabilities, is wanting to get in on the fun! Clients at ADS will be painting rocks and delivering them to the clients at Arrowhead West to hide around town. A huge thank you to Fr. Derek Thome for stopping by to bless our newest bus addition.
