Children and adults alike in central New York are learning where their favorite dairy products come from with the help of Pandora, a registered Holstein cow, and her owner, Stephanie Arndt.
Pandora was born in March 2013 on Settle's Farm near St. Johnsville, N.Y., where Arndt works.
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"I was there when Pandora was born," said Arndt, the past-president of the Mohawk Valley FFA. "The calf was always really sweet - but also had a mischievous side, which is why I named it Pandora."
When Pandora was a few weeks old, Arndt brought her to an FFA toy show, where children surrounded the calf, who loved the attention. That began a chain of events that has made Pandora a celebrity in central New York.
At about 4 months old, Pandora was invited to participate in a Diamond Dawgs baseball game, where a "Salute to the Cows" night attracted many children and adults.
Arndt says most children were afraid to get too close to Pandora. "I wanted to figure out a way to make it more hands-on," explained Arndt. "So, I thought of an idea to literally allow kids to put their hands on her using Crayola washable finger paint. We brought Pandora to the game, and it was a huge success! Kids, adults, and even the players of the teams were excited to be able to - not only pet a real live cow - but to put their handprints on her."
The following month Pandora was invited to the Herkimer County Family Farm Day, then Montgomery County's Sunday on the Farm, and the following week she was invited to appear at Fulton County's Family Farm Day event. Arndt estimates that at each event between 500 and 700 youngsters and even some adults put their handprints on Pandora.
"It gives each person a sense of putting something of their own on her, and I think it really changes how people feel about animals - especially cows."
Arndt says that many people asked questions about the calf and families took photos of their children with Pandora. People also enjoyed watching the calf get a bath after she was covered with handprints, before beginning all over again.
The spring of 2014 brought a fresh idea to Arndt and she decided to see if Pandora would walk with her in the Gloversville Memorial Day Parade.
After bathing the then year-old heifer, Arndt painted it with stars and stripes and began the nearly 2-mile walk, following marching bands and floats. Folks were delighted to see Pandora painted like the American flag and children clapped their hands in excitement. Following the parade, Pandora lay down on a residential lawn to take a well-deserved rest, while local residents and children asked questions about cows and dairy - questions that Arndt was happy to answer.
A busy year of family farm day events, another Diamond Dawgs game, county fairs and visits to schools followed - and 2015 is already off to an even busier beginning, with museums and counties further from home asking for Pandora the Painted Cow to attend their events.
"The effect that Pandora has on kids and adults alike is absolutely amazing - and Pandora loves it."
Now, as a 2-year-old, Pandora has recently been bred, and Arndt says that her career may be shortened and a replacement found. "But," Arndt emphasizes, "there will only be one Pandora."
The author has been a photographer, journalist and correspondent for Lee Publications for over 10 years and has also had stories published in The Draft Horse Journal, Rural Heritage, and Triple H magazines. She resides in Palatine Bridge, NY
Pandora was born in March 2013 on Settle's Farm near St. Johnsville, N.Y., where Arndt works.
When Pandora was a few weeks old, Arndt brought her to an FFA toy show, where children surrounded the calf, who loved the attention. That began a chain of events that has made Pandora a celebrity in central New York.
At about 4 months old, Pandora was invited to participate in a Diamond Dawgs baseball game, where a "Salute to the Cows" night attracted many children and adults.
Arndt says most children were afraid to get too close to Pandora. "I wanted to figure out a way to make it more hands-on," explained Arndt. "So, I thought of an idea to literally allow kids to put their hands on her using Crayola washable finger paint. We brought Pandora to the game, and it was a huge success! Kids, adults, and even the players of the teams were excited to be able to - not only pet a real live cow - but to put their handprints on her."
The following month Pandora was invited to the Herkimer County Family Farm Day, then Montgomery County's Sunday on the Farm, and the following week she was invited to appear at Fulton County's Family Farm Day event. Arndt estimates that at each event between 500 and 700 youngsters and even some adults put their handprints on Pandora.
"It gives each person a sense of putting something of their own on her, and I think it really changes how people feel about animals - especially cows."
Arndt says that many people asked questions about the calf and families took photos of their children with Pandora. People also enjoyed watching the calf get a bath after she was covered with handprints, before beginning all over again.
The spring of 2014 brought a fresh idea to Arndt and she decided to see if Pandora would walk with her in the Gloversville Memorial Day Parade.
After bathing the then year-old heifer, Arndt painted it with stars and stripes and began the nearly 2-mile walk, following marching bands and floats. Folks were delighted to see Pandora painted like the American flag and children clapped their hands in excitement. Following the parade, Pandora lay down on a residential lawn to take a well-deserved rest, while local residents and children asked questions about cows and dairy - questions that Arndt was happy to answer.
A busy year of family farm day events, another Diamond Dawgs game, county fairs and visits to schools followed - and 2015 is already off to an even busier beginning, with museums and counties further from home asking for Pandora the Painted Cow to attend their events.
"The effect that Pandora has on kids and adults alike is absolutely amazing - and Pandora loves it."
Now, as a 2-year-old, Pandora has recently been bred, and Arndt says that her career may be shortened and a replacement found. "But," Arndt emphasizes, "there will only be one Pandora."
The author has been a photographer, journalist and correspondent for Lee Publications for over 10 years and has also had stories published in The Draft Horse Journal, Rural Heritage, and Triple H magazines. She resides in Palatine Bridge, NY
