Educational Snake visit

I am lined up with a date and time for my first ever "Educational snake showing". It is in what I feel is an unlikely place. I know that a lot of people do this sort of thing in settings such as schools and scout meetings and such because kids dont have such long time unchangeable fears of these animals so their minds are more open to change. My first one is going to be at one of the 10 Nursing Homes that my large dog and I frequent. I have mixed emotions about how this may go. I am thinking that I may not have much in the way of interest due to the age of all of the residents. Most people in their 80's and 90's were brought up to fear snakes and have had that fear for quite a long time. Also, Old people do tend to be set in their ways and are more difficult to change their minds. I do hope however that I may be able to get at least a few of them to get over their fear and realize before they die that these are not evil creatures.

I am interested in other people's opinions as to how you can picture this going LOL.

The date of my visit is 4/19/18 at noon. I was actually shocked that the activities director at the nursing home was receptive to this idea.

I wanted to add that I am open to suggestions as to what others who have done this suggest. I dont have any larger animals since my largest female BP is only around 850 grams. The activity director was intrigued that I had several shed skins and wanted to make sure I brought some with me. I told her that I always have some of those around and will bring them all and anyone that wants them can have them. I will be taking hand sanitizer with me. Anyone near Salisbury, NC that would be interested in tagging along would be OK too, especially if you have something larger, like a Boa or Burmese. I have kept Boas in the past and my first snake ever was a Burmese that I raised from a couple feet till it was 16 feet. I do love a big Burmese.

That's awesome!! That may be a great audience for you to work on your presentation as well. They may not be quite as receptive as kids, but that may end up working out in your favor. As opposed to a bunch of energetic kids, your audience will likely be much more quiet and relaxed.

And it's never too late...this is my grandfather on Father's Day last year. He was 96 then (turned 97 in July) and this was the first time he ever touched a snake. He was originally saying "hell no" but after a few minutes he basically said "what the hell, I'm 96 years old, if it kills me it kills me" hahahahaha. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...07fbb10c31.jpg

Sent from my SM-J327T1 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

That's awesome!! That may be a great audience for you to work on your presentation as well. They may not be quite as receptive as kids, but that may end up working out in your favor. As opposed to a bunch of energetic kids, your audience will likely be much more quiet and relaxed.

And it's never too late...this is my grandfather on Father's Day last year. He was 96 then (turned 97 in July) and this was the first time he ever touched a snake. He was originally saying "hell no" but after a few minutes he basically said "what the hell, I'm 96 years old, if it kills me it kills me" hahahahaha. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...07fbb10c31.jpg

Sent from my SM-J327T1 using Tapatalk

---

Thats a fantastic picture. I hope you are right and I totally agree with you on the rambunctious kids vs older more calm people for an audience.

What a wonderful thing to do for your area seniors!

My grandmother was a nasty mean old woman until she had a stroke in her early 70s. Somehow it zapped all the mean parts of her brain and left us with this wonderfully sweet stranger that forgot she hated everyone. We had 15 lovely years with with this kinder iteration of my g-ma!

I say that not to be disrespectful at all, but the brain goes through various changes with age and frailty, and some of those changes can make the person more inclined towards new things instead of less. Ya never know!

But in any case, I think it's great what you're doing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

What a wonderful thing to do for your area seniors!

---

I really enjoy older people. My dog and I go to 10 nursing homes and have been for the past 5 years (ever since he was 3 months old). He is an English Mastiff and loves everyone so it is kind of a natural thing that the dog loves. It also helps that he is a Large dog. The residents dont have to bend over from their wheelchair or bed to pet him. He just puts his head on the bed or in their lap. This just seemed like another way to possibly bring something new into their otherwise mundane days.
Thanks for your words of encouragement.

That's awesome! I've done the same for some younger (probabaly 9-10-11) kids, and it went great! Loved the snakes, and surprisingly listened to the things I had to tell them! Seniors are much different than kids, and may not want you to change their minds :rolleyes::D But I hope it goes well! I know I had a fun time!

please update us on how your visit goes!!! PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN! [emoji23]

Well, tomorrow is the day. I have decided to take 4 of them with me. From smallest to largest they are:

0.1 Pastel Superstripe at 172 gr
0.1 Piebald at 384 gr
1.0 Coral Glow, Yellow Belly, 100% het Pied at 558 gr
0.1 Mystic Potion, Orange Dream at 910 gr

A little variety in colors, patterns, and sizes.

I would love to take my Super Enchi, Butter poss Fire but she is DEEP in shed.

Oooh, can't wait to hear how it goes!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

My grandmother was a nasty mean old woman until she had a stroke in her early 70s. Somehow it zapped all the mean parts of her brain and left us with this wonderfully sweet stranger that forgot she hated everyone. We had 15 lovely years with with this kinder iteration of my g-ma!

---

This is interesting, I've seen the same thing with some older folks how they can change and become a lot more friendly, especially when they start needing assistance to do things they took for granted. I've done a lot with older folks and I know they do appreciate it. I've played the piano in nursing homes and in restaurants outside of homes. At the end of the song some will stand up and applaud, it's so cute! I also cleaned a fish tank in an Alzheimer's nursing home on a regular basis, it was interesting to experience their dementia and delusions first hand, it was pretty bizarre. This year I'm thinking of bringing in some of my new puppies before they get too big. I bet your snakes will be a big hit!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

Oooh, can't wait to hear how it goes!

---

It went well I guess. There seemed to be a lot of questions and much to my suprise, 4 of the 20 or so people wanted to come up and hold them at the end. They had me do this for what they called their "Mens Club" so it was only men. After the actual presentation was over, I guess the men were out in the hallway talking about it because there were a lot more women come in there with curiosity. I was supposed to be done at 1:00pm but didnt actually leave till 2 pm due to the unannounced flow of female visitors. I had told the activity director beforehand that from what I had seen, women are more likely than men to be curious about them and get over their fears but she stuck to her guns on doing it for the mens club.

The person I had there with me and in control of my phone only got 2 pictures and 2 short videos, neither of which show the residents with the animals so I'm sorry tttaylor, I guess it didnt happen since I dont have pictures LOL.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bistem

It went well I guess. There seemed to be a lot of questions and much to my suprise, 4 of the 20 or so people wanted to come up and hold them at the end. They had me do this for what they called their "Mens Club" so it was only men. After the actual presentation was over, I guess the men were out in the hallway talking about it because there were a lot more women come in there with curiosity. I was supposed to be done at 1:00pm but didnt actually leave till 2 pm due to the unannounced flow of female visitors. I had told the activity director beforehand that from what I had seen, women are more likely than men to be curious about them and get over their fears but she stuck to her guns on doing it for the mens club.

The person I had there with me and in control of my phone only got 2 pictures and 2 short videos, neither of which show the residents with the animals so I'm sorry tttaylor, I guess it didnt happen since I dont have pictures LOL.

---

I'm glad to hear it went well for you. It's a shame the director limited it to the men though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

That's awesome!! That may be a great audience for you to work on your presentation as well. They may not be quite as receptive as kids, but that may end up working out in your favor. As opposed to a bunch of energetic kids, your audience will likely be much more quiet and relaxed.

And it's never too late...this is my grandfather on Father's Day last year. He was 96 then (turned 97 in July) and this was the first time he ever touched a snake. He was originally saying "hell no" but after a few minutes he basically said "what the hell, I'm 96 years old, if it kills me it kills me" hahahahaha. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...07fbb10c31.jpg

Sent from my SM-J327T1 using Tapatalk

---

this is incredible !! Sorry I’m late to the party but so awesome !!

im sure I don’t have to tel you how lucky you are to have him and he’s now a snake fan!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bistem

It went well I guess. There seemed to be a lot of questions and much to my suprise, 4 of the 20 or so people wanted to come up and hold them at the end. They had me do this for what they called their "Mens Club" so it was only men. After the actual presentation was over, I guess the men were out in the hallway talking about it because there were a lot more women come in there with curiosity. I was supposed to be done at 1:00pm but didnt actually leave till 2 pm due to the unannounced flow of female visitors. I had told the activity director beforehand that from what I had seen, women are more likely than men to be curious about them and get over their fears but she stuck to her guns on doing it for the mens club.

The person I had there with me and in control of my phone only got 2 pictures and 2 short videos, neither of which show the residents with the animals so I'm sorry tttaylor, I guess it didnt happen since I dont have pictures LOL.

---

Happy to hear it went well for you!!

maybe like you said some other locals will tag along or bring animals and they will open it up to all the residence ?

sounds like a great first go round and good on you for volunteering your time and animals !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Phillydubs

this is incredible !! Sorry I’m late to the party but so awesome !!

im sure I don’t have to tel you how lucky you are to have him and he’s now a snake fan!

---

Thanks man!! Yeah, that was a pretty great day. I don't know that I'd call him a "fan", hahaha, but it just goes to show it's never too late to get over a fear.

Oh, and no doubt in lucky!! He's still going strong, coming up on 98 in July. He's honestly the greatest man I've ever known. Probably a bit biased, but literally everybody that meets him falls in love with him. It's been that way my since as far back as I can remember.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Oh, and no doubt in lucky!! He's still going strong, coming up on 98 in July. He's honestly the greatest man I've ever known. Probably a bit biased, but literally everybody that meets him falls in love with him. It's been that way my since as far back as I can remember.

---

He just looks like an extremely like-able guy. And make SURE and tell him "Thank You for his service". There arent many WW2 veterans still with us now days and it makes me happy that he is still out and about sporting his hat :salute:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Thanks man!! Yeah, that was a pretty great day. I don't know that I'd call him a "fan", hahaha, but it just goes to show it's never too late to get over a fear.

Oh, and no doubt in lucky!! He's still going strong, coming up on 98 in July. He's honestly the greatest man I've ever known. Probably a bit biased, but literally everybody that meets him falls in love with him. It's been that way my since as far back as I can remember.

---

Incredible!! Truly!!

hes a WW2 vet? What did he do for his service. Crazy 98 and going strong I wish I can be so lucky. !!

hey warm him up maybe he’ll own a snake “. “ that you will care for hahah.