Pleasant Sense Farm
Sustainability. Therapy. Connect.
Animal Assisted Wellbeing Sessions
What is Animal Assisted Interventions?
Our Animal Assisted Wellbeing sessions are a form of Animal Assisted Intervention, which involved interactions with animals as the primary means for supporting skill development.
Unlike Animal Assisted Therapy, Our Animal Assisted Wellbeing sessions are not structured with a specific treatment goal. Rather so, they are sessions open for individuals or groups for recreational, social, motivational or educational purposes. Activities involving animals may also help with mental health, physical health and skill improvement. These activities can help the client to build confidence, improve motor skills, and develop a sense of responsibility.
Just being in the presence of a friendly animal has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety and lower blood pressure. Overall, our Animal Assisted Wellbeing sessions are designed to be fun, enjoyable, and supportive experiences for the participants involved!
Who is this suitable for?
Animal Assisted Wellbeing sessions are suitable for children, youth, people with special needs or adults of all ages. Participants with NDIS plans and independently funded clients are also welcome.
These sessions can also be beneficial for people suffering from dementia, anxiety, chronic illness, chronic pain, depression, grief, loneliness, PTSD, stress or addiction.
Neurodivergent people can also benefit from these short sessions. For NDIS participants, Tanya works with the individual’s NDIS plan to achieve their specific goals and outcomes.
Tanya also supports disability groups by offering a venue for their school excursions or day trips.
What do sessions involve?
These sessions are held either 1:1 or in group settings with Tanya, who is trained in Animal Assisting Learning. Tanya has the necessary skills, experience and patience when it comes to working with children with special needs, and tailors each session according to the participant’s needs and interests.
Group sessions are tailored specifically to the needs of your group and can accommodate wheelchair access and temporary shelter if required.
For individuals, Tanya offers a 30 minute session for $35 or a 60 minute session for $67. For groups, prices are $22 per participant. During these wellbeing sessions, the client gets to spend their whole time with their chosen animal/s, whether that be sitting with the animal, patting, grooming or feeding.
The participant’s support worker/carer, teachers or support staff can accompany free of charge.
What animals are used?
Animals used in our wellbeing sessions have all been carefully selected and are used to being well handled by children and adults. Participants can choose from Eeyore the donkey, Naddie the jersey house cow, Tarly the jersey calf, Tim Tam the baby goat or our friendly chooks.
What can Animal Assisted Wellbeing Sessions help with?
There are so many benefits that interacting with farm animals can bring! This can help adults and children with almost any kind of disability, mental health illness, chronic illness or neurodivergent people.
Our wellbeing sessions can help participants with the following:
-
Regulating Emotions (including anxiety, depression, anger, and stress)
-
Social and Communication Skills
-
Trauma and Grief
-
Non-verbal Communication
-
Sensory Processing
-
Confidence and Trust
-
Community Engagement
-
Promote Self-worth
-
Understanding and Respect for Living Beings.
The aim is to create an environment for human-animal interaction that feels relaxed and non-judgemental. This allows participants to nurture their social abilities and well-being. Spending time with the animal also provides participants with a sense of peace and companionship, purpose and love.
How is this different to 'Animal Assisted Therapy’?
While both Animal Assisted Wellbeing Sessions and Animal Assisted Therapy involve the use of animals in therapeutic contexts, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) tends to be more structured and goal-oriented. Our Wellbeing Sessions are considered an Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA) and are often more informal and focused on providing emotional support and companionship.
Unlike animal-assisted activities, animal assisted therapy is usually conducted by trained allied health professionals such as Occupational Therapists, or licensed psychologists or counsellors, who work with an animal to achieve specific therapeutic goals for the patient.
For more information on our Animal Assisted Therapy service, please click the button below.
How is this different to the ‘Nature Mentoring Program’?
Our Animal Assisted Wellbeing sessions:
-
Can be used as one-off sessions
-
Are shorter in length
-
And the focus is on one animal
The Nature Mentoring Program includes a wider range of experiences and activities, including nature focused activities, follows a structure and is ideally suited as weekly ongoing sessions. For more information on the ‘Nature Mentoring Program’, click here.
Are there any risks involved?
Animal Assisted sessions are generally considered safe. However, people who are afraid of animals may not be a good fit for sessions involving animals. The experience could cause additional stress that outweighs the potential benefits.
People with compromised immune function, allergies or open wounds should check with their healthcare team prior to trying animal assisted sessions.
Prior to your session you will be asked to complete a ‘Consent and Release of Liability Form’ which outlines the benefits, risks and rules of Animal Assisted Interventions at Pleasant Sense Farm.
"
How to book a session?
Bookings can be made for mornings, afternoons or after-school, depending on availability. Weekends can be arranged but will be at a slightly higher rate per session. If you would like to make a booking for a Animal Assisted Wellbeing Session at Pleasant Sense Farm or have any questions, you can either:
Pleasant Sense Farm acknowledges the traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. Pleasant Sense Farm pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
©2024 Pleasant Sense Farm. All rights reserved.
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy