This episode of Nonprofit Report features leaders from Green Chimneys, which integrates nature-based therapy, education, and animal-assisted programs to support children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Located in Brewster, New York, the organization’s model connects children with animals, plants, and the natural world—building trust, confidence, and life skills that lead to long-term growth and healing.
Guests:
Dr. Edward Placke, Executive Director;
Zachary Staszak, Director of Recreation;
Kristin Licardi, Associate Executive Director of BehavioralHealth
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points:
- Green Chimneys combines education, clinical therapy, and nature-based learning to help children with complex social-emotional needs succeed in school and life.
- The program serves children with diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, trauma-related challenges, anxiety, and other behavioral health needs.
- Animal-assisted interaction is central—students routinely care for and interact with the farm’s animals as part of treatment and skill-building.
- Recreation and outdoor programming (high-ropes, canoeing, trails, gardens) are used to build confidence, teamwork, and executive-function skills.
- Academic instruction is individualized and integrated with therapeutic goals; many students progress to less restrictive settings or vocational/college paths.
- Treatment plans are coordinated among teachers, clinicians, animal-care staff, and families with regular assessments of goals and progress.
- Green Chimneys is shifting toward more community-based services while maintaining high-quality residential care where needed.
Other Points on Green Chimneys Children’s Services:
Daily, predictable interactions with animals give children a non-judgmental context to practice responsibility and regulate emotion—things school settings often can’t provide.
Staff intentionally translate recreation and animal care into measurable social-emotional goals, then plan transitions back to community life from day one.
Length of stay varies, as residential averages over two years for some students, while day-students often attend for several years as programs move children toward less-restrictive schooling.
Leadership is focused on workforce challenges, reimbursement timing from districts/counties, and expanding community-based options so more families can access services earlier.