MADISON (WKOW) -- There's a special farm in Verona - providing free care for abandoned or injured farm animals. It's called the Heartland Farm Sanctuary.
Recently, they've invited children with special needs to come inside their barn and help take care of them each day.
What makes this place different, is that children are coming here and learning how to care for animals who may have never seen compassion before in their lives.
We were here just a few days ago to talk to some students from Verona and McFarland High School. Hard at work sweeping, giving the animals food water and showing them love.
Many of the students are here with their schools as part of a work program.
I asked some of them what they've learned since they've been here.
"It's a lot of responsibility its really cool to do it cause the animals need your help to stay alive and stuff," said Renia Rucker, Verona Highschooler.
"Hanging out with them just help them an show respect to them," said Trisha Marking, Verona Highschooler.
"Their whole live they've been shown no compassion to people so it's been really nice to show them people can treat them well," said Sarah Solberg, Barn Manager.
Barn manager Sarah Solberg says all of the animals here have experienced trauma - including some who've fallen off a slaughter truck, found stray or given to them by the humane society.
They've been able to have children from all levels to be able to come on this barn and do something, from just petting the animals to doing chores.
We'll have much more from the Heartland Farm Sanctuary in Verona coming up in the next half hour, including how you can take action.
Click here to find a link to learn more about this non-profit organization.
