HOUTZDALE – The Central Pennsylvania Zoological Society recently made an offer for a 4.3 acre property in Houtzdale, which the owner has accepted. The terms of the offer give CPZS six months to raise the remaining funds and close on the property, which will amount to approximately $200,000.
“This is a major advancement for the Society and we are very excited to have reached this milestone,” said Susan Myers, who sits on the CPZS Board of Directors.
The facility, which currently features a 9,600 sq. ft. building and a spring-fed pond, will be used for animal-assisted therapy and educational programs, as well as the Society’s administrative offices.
“Due to the current economic conditions, we have decided to push back our plans for a zoological park to a later date and focus on our animal-assisted therapy and educational programs,” explains CPZS Executive Director Lauren Albright. “With the ever growing needs in mental health, the Central PA Zoological Society is ecstatic to propose an innovative plan to address the therapeutic needs of our rural communities via animal-assisted therapy.”
This new approach to therapy has many benefits to a variety of mental health disorders including mood and anxiety disorders, depression, and autism. Advances in research continue to support the therapeutic value of animals in session in conjunction with the traditional therapy approaches.
“We still have long range plans to develop a zoological park in Central PA,” said Albright. “However, our goal is to provide therapeutic and educational experiences to help increase the quality of life for Central PA residents, which is exactly what this new facility will allow us to do.”
For more information or to make a contribution, visit the Central PA Zoological Society on the Web or call at 814-687-4097.
