Alpacas and Flowers: A Successful “Thriving Together” Event Promotes Mental Well-Being in Scranton Community.
On Saturday, the YMCA in Dunmore hosted a “Thriving Together” event that drew families from the Greater Scranton Area. The aim of the event was to raise awareness and celebrate the organization’s well-being initiative called “Mental health is wealth.”
Numerous families participated in various family fun activities at the event, including a giant dart board, multiple bounce houses, and meeting the Wilkes-barra Scranton Mascot Tux. However, what truly stood out and kept everyone in a calm state of mind was the alpaca petting zoo.
According to alpaca enthusiast Haley Schaffer, the alpacas served as emotional support animals that were fluffy, friendly, and provided comfort to attendees at the event. She explained that having these animals around helped reduce stress and anxiety levels while promoting relaxation.
The event also featured flowers blooming at Nay Aug Park, adding to the overall pleasant and positive atmosphere. Moving forward, the program plans to host more events that engage the community in activities and practices to support mental and emotional health.
