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MSU farms reach out to students and the community following a campus shooting.

Jennifer Kiel, Editor, Michigan Farmer

March 6, 2023

4 Min Read
MSU student hugs a cow
WARM HUGS: Students and people wanting a hug or a distraction from the pain of the Michigan State campus shooting were invited to the MSU dairy and horse barns for interaction with animals. Photos courtesy of Faith Cullens-Nobis

Therapy animals can provide a sense of comfort, safety and love for someone in need. I often think of dogs and cats helping to soothe fears, anxiety and isolation.

But Michigan State University took that a step further, by recognizing a need and quickly pulling from its original agricultural college heritage to connect traumatized students with dairy cows, horses and even a few lambs housed on the campus horse and dairy farms.

While these facilities are always open to the public, a special invitation was extended for anyone wanting to interact with the animals after the Feb. 13 MSU campus shooting.

It won’t be “normal” at MSU for some time, if ever. For three slain victims’ families, their lives will be permanently marred by the senseless acts of a 43-year-old monster who had no known ties to the university. Because of this lone gunman, who reportedly felt slighted in life, five more families continue to pray for recovery of their loved ones who were critically injured.

The shooter was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

While the campus of 50,000-plus students grieves those killed and wounded, the MSU community went into survival mode, asking “How can we help?”

Animal love

Faith Cullens-Nobis, director of MSU’s South Campus Animal Farms, reached out to Paula Hitzler and Jim Good — the MSU horse farm and dairy farm managers — with an idea and they quickly concurred.

“Originally, we hoped to give those already comfortable at the farms a place to gather — Animal Science and College of Veterinary Medicine students, faculty and staff,” Cullens-Nobis says. “I thought we might get 20 to 30 people. A promo ad was put out on social media, which got picked up everywhere! When I woke up on Feb. 15, I had a text from a friend in Lansing saying they saw it on the morning news — I panicked. I didn’t know how we would manage hundreds of people.”

Everyone brainstormed ideas on how to provide animal interactions. “I had no volunteers lined up,” she adds. “Thankfully, my phone was also buzzing with those willing to come help.”

The events were set for Feb. 15-16, and because of their popularity, a third day was added Feb. 24. About 860 people visited in total.

Students came as singles, pairs and in large groups. Some parents drove overnight to be with their college students. Families came with small children. “We had faculty and staff bring their own families, and we had several groups of faculty and staff come together,” Cullens-Nobis says.

At the horse farm, visitors could brush one of four restrained horses while feeding supplied carrots. At the dairy farm, visitors were offered animal interactions with calves, lambs and mature cows.

“We put two cows in a box stall and let people brush them — it was a big hit,” Cullens-Nobis says. “Our cows at MSU have been raised by students and absolutely love attention.”

Several people donated food. “Many students grabbed a plate and sat around for hours enjoying the atmosphere,” Cullens-Nobis says.

Some visitors didn’t know the farms were on campus, and several students said it was their first visit to a farm. “Overwhelmingly, we heard ‘This is just what I needed, thank you,’” Cullens-Nobis says. “I had one teary-eyed parent tell me this was the first time their family had smiled in 48 hours.”

Spartan Strong

Students got a week off from school, but knowing how challenging their return would be, counseling centers were established. Food, water and supplies were donated, and moms and grandmas showed up holding signs offering “free hugs” to anyone who needed it.

Spartan Strong was printed on shirts and other merchandise, as well as the campus rock.

The Spartan Strong Fund was created to support “the evolving needs of the individuals most critically impacted,” according to MSU’s website. Money will also go toward student and staff counseling, plus recognition for first responders and others involved with the crisis.

Even the University of Michigan Wolverines — wicked rivals — lended emotional support and displayed Spartan Strong signs and stickered gear. Members of the Michigan women’s basketball team stood locked arm-in-arm while pairing yellow shorts with a white top with a green heart and Spartan emblem before a game Feb. 20 against Ohio State.

Studies have shown that spending time with animals can aid in chronic disease and reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels caused by stress. Motivation, emotional control and self-esteem may also be enhanced.

Nobis says during the first wave of the pandemic, MSU farms were busy with people looking for outdoor activities.

The farms are open to the public during daylight hours, but don’t normally offer the animal interactions such as those at these events. Cullens-Nobis is looking into having more regular outreach activities at the farms in the future.

“Our volunteers also commented that spending the day helping others was just what they needed,” she adds.

About the Author(s)

Jennifer Kiel

Editor, Michigan Farmer

While Jennifer is not a farmer and did not grow up on a farm, "I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone with more appreciation for the people who grow our food and fiber, live the lifestyles and practice the morals that bind many farm families," she says.

Before taking over as editor of Michigan Farmer in 2003, she served three years as the manager of communications and development for the American Farmland Trust Central Great Lakes Regional Office in Michigan and as director of communications with Michigan Agri-Business Association. Previously, she was the communications manager at Michigan Farm Bureau's state headquarters. She also lists 10 years of experience at six different daily and weekly Michigan newspapers on her impressive resume.

Jennifer lives in St. Johns with her two daughters, Elizabeth, 19, and Emily 16.

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