Many families tell us the barn is the first place outside of their home that their child has ever felt truly understood and safe. From our patient pony, Madge, to the friendly sheep, curious rabbits and fascinating reptiles – each animal plays a special role in helping our beneficiaries feel calm, grounded, and connected.
Walk through the farm on any given morning, and you’ll feel it: the soft rustle of hay, the gentle snort of a Shetland pony greeting a familiar face, the unspoken connection between a child and a guinea pig they spend an afternoon with every Wednesday. It’s in these small, steady moments that enormous, life-changing progress is made.
Research has shown that many people find it easier to express themselves and regulate their emotions through time spent with animals. Our therapeutic barn and farm offers a setting unlike any traditional therapy room. Here, children and adults build confidence, communication, empathy, and resilience simply by caring for the animals and working alongside staff. Through grooming sessions, mucking out, feeding routines, and guided therapeutic activities, people can build skills and confidence.
Find out more about the team, our animals and facilities by clicking the links below.
