Most Bermudian college and university students who return home for their summer break slot into the work force, while others — some would say the lucky ones — fill their time having fun in the sun and partying.

Not so Reid Mosher, who decided to broaden his horizons and spend his summer in a more fulfilling and educational way by working with children and animals at Green Chimneys, a non-profit organisation which operates a farm, special education school and residential treatment centre in Brewster, New York.

At Green Chimneys, Mr. Mosher, who recently graduated from St. Andrew's College in Laurinburg, North Carolina with a Bachelor's degree in communications, has been putting his experience as a horticultural landscaper and his interest in counselling to good use working with students who, for various reasons, are emotionally, socially or physically challenged.

The Green Chimneys farm is home to animals which have been abandoned, injured, or simply no longer wanted.

Staff members of both the farm and school form tight-knit teams to assist the children, and the animals, on their road to recovery.

Learning to care for the animals is part of a student's education at Green Chimneys and they enjoy rising to that challenge.

Many of the children identify with the animals' histories and, in some cases, this animal-assisted therapy has been the only way to reach a child.

What has most impressed Mr. Mosher about Green Chimneys is the cultural diversity among the interns.

"When I applied, I remember (farm intern coordinator) Elizabeth telling me about the cast of people who come to Green Chimneys — people from all over the world," he says.

This summer's intern group includes a young woman from Japan and another from Austria.

"Kids get to hear different accents and see new perspectives. It opens up the world to them," Mr. Mosher says, adding that students who have the opportunity to study with people who have travelled long distances in order to work with the children are likely to feel more highly valued.

Certainly, the Bermudian intern appreciates the training he has been receiving at the farm, which includes attending workshops in therapeutic crisis intervention (TCI), as well as developing leadership skills, and learning what is entailed in running a farm.

Typically, a farm internship at Green Chimneys lasts three months.

Asked what his most enduring impression of the time spent Green Chimneys would be, Mr. Mosher replies, "Witnessing the therapeutic effect that a team-operated programme can have on a child.

"I work with a student who is interested in tailoring. Here teachers and counsellors work together to 'tailor' his educational experience in order to meet the student's needs while pursuing his interests."

Mr. Mosher is the son of Vaughn and Rebecca Mosher of Smith's parish.

Founded in 1947, Green Chimneys restores possibilities and creates futures for children with emotional, behavioural, social and learning challenges.

It is renowned for its animal-assisted therapy programme, and operates an accredited special education school; a residential treatment centre for children; a farm and wildlife rehabilitation centre; Clearpool Education Centre; an organic farm; a therapeutic riding programme; community based services, including a runaway shelter and community outreach centre; Nature's Nursery and Hillside Summer Camp; group homes; the Good Friend mentoring programme for youth; LGBTQ programmes in New York City; programmes and special events for the public; adult services programmes in Connecticut, and a variety of other programmes.

Each year, Green Chimneys serves more than 3,500 children and their families. For further information see website www.greenchimneys.org.