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. Activities involving animals may help with the prevention and management of mental illness, disease, disability and suffering for people of all ages. Just being in the presence of a friendly animal has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety.
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.
Children with ASD, ADHD, anxiety or an inability to regulate emotions also can benefit from these short sessions. For NDIS participants, Tanya works with the individual’s NDIS plan to achieve their specific goals and outcomes.
What do sessions involve?
These sessions are held one on one 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.
Tanya offers a 30 minute session for $35 or a 60 minute session for $65. During these wellbeing sessions, the client gets to spend their whole time with their chosen animal, whether that be sitting with the animal, patting, grooming or feeding.
The participant’s support worker/carer 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, 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, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or chronic illness.
Our wellbeing sessions can help participants with the following:
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Regulating Emotions (including anxiety, depression, anger, and stress)
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Social and Communication Skills
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Trauma and Grief
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Non-verbal Communication
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
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ADHD and Sensory Processing
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Confidence and Trust
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Community Engagement
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Promote Self-worth
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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 the ‘Nature Mentoring Program’?
Our Animal Assisted Wellbeing sessions:
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Can be used as one-off sessions
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Are shorter in length
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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.
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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.
