Dean & Director Carol Lewis (at right) explained to the visitors about UAF being a land grant university and the work done through the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
Three-year-old Jayden Aragon enjoyed feeding lichen to the reindeer.
Erin Carr introduced the reindeer to the visitors.Through a connection made in Iraq, wounded soldiers were able to visit the Fairbanks Experiment Farm Oct. 29 for a tour of the Reindeer Research Program.
Rebecca Jones, a SNRAS student, RRP intern and U.S. Army veteran, enjoys being around the reindeer so much she wanted to share them with fellow military friends. She had met Adam Aragon in Iraq and the two reconnected in Fairbanks. Aragaon, who works for Alaska's Healing Hearts, a program to assist wounded soldiers, jumped at the chance.
The program has taken soldiers hunting and fishing but Aragon wanted to try an activity that spouses and children would enjoy alongside the soldiers. "It's a great idea to do outreach programs and bring the families," Aragon said. He hopes to continue this type of event several times a year. Participants are soldiers who have been wounded on the job; many are Purple Heart recipients.
RRP Research Professional George Aguiar and animal caretaker Erin Carr shared information about the animals' nutrition and habits. They led the families into the pens where the children could feed lichen to the reindeer.
"We needed to be educated that these are reindeer not caribou," Aragon said with a big smile.
Aguiar said, "These soldiers have given up a lot for us and all we have here. This was the least that we could do. When we were first presented with the opportunity I said of course we could do that!"
After the tours and talks, a cookout was held at the farm. On the menu? Reindeer burgers.
Further reading:
Wounded warrior program offers trial run for Fairbanks, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Oct. 30, 2011, by Sam Friedman
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