In special education, animal-assisted intervention (AAI) is used to assist individuals with autism spectrum disorder in their learning development bringing improvement in social interaction and affection to other people. This was a goal when the program, "Challenge Me 4-H", was in its first planning stages. Challenge Me 4-H was originally thought of and planned out by a 4-H member in Trigg County. This program included special education students from Trigg County High School, Agriculture Education students from Murray State University and mature gilts to be shown from Murray State University's Swine Farm. This program spanned over three consecutive Fridays. Throughout those Fridays the students met their Ag Ed friends, met the gilts they were going to show, washed and walked the gilts and finally showed the gilts. 

Henderson County High School Special Education students meet monthly with Henderson County 4-H agents and program assistant. Each month one of the core areas of 4-H is covered with an activity for the students. I wanted to do something a little different with the kids and the idea for us to have our own "Challenge Me 4-H" program came to mind. Once the Special Education teachers were on board, we decided to change a few details to fit our program. A 4-H volunteer and her daughter, Heather and Montana Fehd, graciously let us borrow 10 of their show Dairy Goats. Like the initial program, we spanned ours over three Fridays and also included 10 Agriculture Education students from Murray State University with the help of their advisor and professor, Dr. Kimberly Bellah. The first week, 20 special education students met their Ag Ed friends and were introduced to the goats. Ag Ed students also utilized "Toobeez" (a giant construction building system) and built goats so the students were able to get used to the feel of leading goats around. The second week our students were introduced once again to their Ag Ed friends and the goats. They had more hands on time with the goats. They were also able to clean them up and practiced getting them "show ready". Our final Friday together was their show. We set up their show ring at the local fairgrounds with placing pens. They were able to get their goats ready to show before the show started. They worse back numbers, had brushes and rags to clean the goats as well. They received trophies and a picture of them with their show goat at the end of the show. 

Their judge, Terry Burks, is a nationally known livestock judge. He has judged stock shows at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo as well as at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville Kentucky. 

Henderson County High School Special Education lead, Andrea Dickens said, "Thank you so much for working with us. The students absolutely loved it. It was amazing to see them slowly warm up to the goats. It really helped them work on so many skills (communication, listening, overcoming fear, job exploration… I could go on and on). We have enjoyed all our classes with you guys this year, but this project has been our favorite!"

This is a program that Henderson County 4-H is excited to continue and add more species to in the coming years.