1 minute
Alpacas Visit La Grange Elementary for Mental Health Day
-
Fifth graders got a chance to pet and hug the alpacas Pancho and Lefty. Photo by Andy Behlen -
Loretta Hajovsky of Texas Party Animals shows off a bag containing all the fleece produced by a single alpaca in a year.
Fifth graders at La Grange Elementary got to hang out with some special visitors this week. Pancho and Lefty, a pair of trained alpacas from Texas Party Animals, visited the school on Monday, Sept. 23, for the school’s “Red, White and Blue, Mental Health and You Day.”
School counselors Jennifer Calloway, Katie Gross and Shelly Hajek spoke to the kids about mental health. They explained the process for seeking a referral to speak with counselors about issues in their lives.
“Do not hesitate to ask for help,” Calloway told the kids. “We are always here to help you.”
Calloway said discussions with counselors remain confidential unless there is a threat of imminent danger.
Gross spoke to the children about David’s Law, a Texas statute that empowers school officials and law enforcement to protect kids from bullies. Hajek explained the referral process and priority levels.
Afterwards, all of the kids got to visit with Pancho and Lefty. Loretta Hajovsky of Texas Party Animals and her assistant Jill Donahue showed the students textiles and other products made from alpaca fleece.