The Power of Animals – Animal Assisted Intervention and Emotional support

Farmer Clair

Hello everyone!

Farmer Clair here. I am the specialist therapeutic lead here at the farm and I work with children and young people with a variety of needs and diagnoses. This week it is Children’s Mental Health week, so throughout the week we are going to be giving you a variety of activities to keep your mind happy, and distract those negative thought patterns!

Today I want to talk to you about animal assisted intervention. Us humans have had strong bonds and relationships with animals for centuries. Animal assisted intervention (AAI) is an umbrella term, which involves interactions with animals as the primary means for supporting health, social, emotional, educational and skill development. The list of supporting areas of need are endless and include autism, mental health issues / diagnoses, cancer patients, mobility issues, issues with sight, hearing issues, loneliness / companionship, to name a few.

We have lots of animals at the farm that can help with emotional support and interventions to support with sensory processing issues to help calm our central nervous system and to help with co-regulation and self-regulation.

One of my favourites are the Pygmy goats. They are great for adding in tactile stimuation for fussing and cuddles, they are great for climbing all over you to add pressure and pulling you along when taking them for a walk to add in some proprioceptive input (the sense that lets us know where our different body parts are and how they move), to help calm and regulate. They also have lots of character and cheekiness are are great for communication and interaction by using them as a focal point for children and young people that are anxious or need a low demand approach.

All of us who have pets, in some way, will utilise them for emotional support, whether we actively realise it or not. Whether that’s having your cat on your lap, whilst it is gently purring away, or taking your dog for a walk.

Lets hear about and see some of your pets that help with your emotional wellbeing!

Exciting News Alert!

We are happy to announce that White Post Farm is now an approved provider with Nottinghamshire County Council, So, what does this mean? Here is a little background in relation to our offer:

White Post Farm is a sole therapeutic provision utilising animal assisted interventions and the outdoors. We cater person-centred, holistic packages of a morning, afternoon or full day (10am – 2pm) supporting social, emotional, mental health and sensory needs, as well as communication and interaction.

We support a self-directed, neuroaffirmative and autonomous learning approach, taking the lead from the children and young people to alleviate any anxieties creates from pressure and demands. We will cover an element of basic animal care learning, covering the 5 areas of need only if/and when the CYP is in a place to do so.

We monitor progress and development through the AET framework. Progression Framework Resource | Autism Education Trust.

We implement a trauma informed practice following the PACE approach.

To access the provision, a child or young person has to have an Educational Health Care Plan and be referred via the kick authority or have HLN funding if direct referral from schools or colleges.

For more information you can contact Clair our specialist therapeutic lead here at the farm.