Jessica Krueger loves animals and helping people.
She combines her two loves at Bay Creek Farm Therapy at Temperance, the farm she owns with her husband, Greg.
Krueger, a recreational therapist, is the program’s creator and the lead therapist for the farm’s animal-assisted recreational therapy program.
“I use my extensive knowledge and love of animals, along with my career, to serve my true passion for helping others, especially those with disabilities,” Krueger said. “It offers animal-assisted recreational therapy to people with disabilities. My strengths are providing programming for people on the autism spectrum.”
Recreational therapy, he explained, is focused on the whole person and is customized for each client.
“It is for individual interest. I use leisure and recreation activities as a means to produce measurable results. I offer individual, group and special event programming on the farm. Each client is assessed before programming begins to identify goals and areas of interest. Teaching the importance of healthy leisure throughout the human lifespan is one of the favorite aspects of my career,” said Krueger.
Their program is growing.
“My husband and I bought the farm just before we got married. We got married on the farm in 2016,” she said.
Over the years, the couple improved the farm. In 2017, Krueger completed her degree and landed her first recreation therapy client in September 2020. In 2021, she served nine families.
“We are currently finishing our second full year of programming, serving a total of 22 families,” she said.
Her husband, her daughters, her husband’s family and some recreational therapy colleagues attend.
“I’m fortunate to have my amazing colleagues, Amelia Capps, CTRS, and Jocelyn Peters, CTRS on standby if I need an extra hand with programming,” said Krueger. “I have plans to hire more recreational therapists as our program grows.”
He also has a large “animal staff” of five horses, four goats, two long mini-cattle, two Kunekune pigs, two therapy dogs, two cats, and countless chickens.
“We are always looking for special animals to add to our team,” Krueger said. “We have to be extremely picky when choosing animals to make sure they are suitable for the work we do and really enjoy it.”
Krueger earned a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation studies from Eastern Michigan University.
“My national CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) credential was obtained through testing through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification,” she said.
He has training in dementia care, ABA therapy and early childhood intervention.
“I’ve been working in psychiatry for six years,” he said.
Bay Creek Farm Therapy services are private, but offers some public events, such as farm tours and the annual trunk-or-treat event.
“Our goal is to expand the scope of the program and update the facilities continuously. We are looking for grants, scholarships and other funding to help clients pay for the cost of therapy,” Krueger said. “Other than events, we are a private facility. We choose to be private for the safety of our customers. We serve a population that can be vulnerable, so we take extra steps to help families know their child or loved one is safe.”
Turned on the web: https://www.baycreekfarmtherapy.com/
Sidebar:
The farm is asking for help for a trunk-or-treat event
TEMPERANCE — Bay Creek Farm Therapy on Samaria Rd. is hosting its third annual trunk-or-treat event on Oct. 30 at the farm.
It’s a great community event.
“Last year we hosted over 700 people,” said farm owner Jessica Krueger. “This year we’re making it bigger and better than ever.”
Krueger is looking for sponsors, trunks, vendors and volunteers for the sensory and handicap accessible event.
“We are looking for sponsors to help cover entertainment costs. We need people to volunteer at the event as a truck or help with parking. We need vendors to sell goods and organizations to promote their services,” he said.
Treats are also needed.
“We also accept donations of candy, allergy-free snacks and school supplies for the police officers and firefighters who help us pass out,” Krueger said.
Trunk-or-treat on Oct. 30 will include food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, a costume contest, trunk voting and more. Cost is $5 per person.
“All proceeds benefit therapy programming and help care for our therapy animals,” Krueger said. “We strive to make this event fun and very beneficial to our community.”
For more information, contact Krueger at (517) 918-0441 or jessica@baycreekfamrtherapy.com. To sign up, visit https://linktr.ee/baycreekfarmtherapy.
