Farm-based Education

Hi - I would love to hear about your experiences, ideas, and hesitations about bringing farm animals to schools and into classrooms.  I am running a workshop this week at a Farm to School gathering in Bellows Falls VT about hosting visits from farm animals at schools and would love to hear others thoughts.  Over the past 20 years, I have worked with schools that have had short term visits of rabbits, chickens, turkeys and small livestock (nigerian goats) actually in their classrooms.  Also, have seen farmers bring calves, sheep, and sheep dogs to schools for outside visits.  One teacher even had a turkey stay a few days in her classroom (in a dog crate when not out in fenced area with kids).  These experiences have been amazing for the students.  So, it made me wonder about others experiences this community has had.  Any powerful  positive stories?  Any bad experiences?   Of course there are safety considerations to be made, but I would love to hear your experiences. 

I have brought different animals into school over the years and the kids do love it. Biggest issue is if they relieve themselves. Some kids are super grossed out. We just clean it up. Mostly small animals but once a cow which stayed outside. We have chickens at school in there own fenced in area.