Cherry Tree Farm
Thornham Road
Methwold
Thetford
Norfolk
IP264PJ
Animal Therapy
How It Works - 2 Choices
- Indoor Therapy - We have a family or a group in the room and depending on the clients choice we can bring in the rabbits, guinea pigs or tiny goats. We supply a grooming kit and allow the clients to cuddle and stroke them and go at their own pace. If the client is nervous they can just watch them play and join in when they feel more confident, there is no rush or pressure. It is a quiet, relaxed session and is bookable from 1 hour upwards. It is fabulous for building confidence and encouraging children to play and talk. We are also looking to do outdoor sessions which is the most popular.
- Outdoor Therapy - We take the client into their chosen animals where they can groom, play, cuddle, feed and if they choose a goat or a pony they can walk the animal around the enclosure. This is suitable for a single person, couples or families. Bookings are taken from 1 hour upwards and we also take referrals from the local county councils etc. These sessions are payable by the clients themselves. Unless we have been contacted by the relevant authority.
We have had clients from councils wanting teenagers to grow in confidence and learn how to work as a team and become employable. This is highly rewarding seeing a quiet shy person grow into a confident, independent person ready to take on a job or apply for college placement. The council pays for the session so it is free to the client.
We are also in partnership with Breckland YAB and we will soon be providing sessions to any child from 11 to 16 who is struggling with anxiety and / or depression. The sessions will be for three days and for three hours a day. They can choose from Saturday mornings or afternoons or Sunday mornings or afternoons. (sessions must be the booked for the same time if possible for the three weeks) All you have to do is get to the farm. If you struggle to get transport then contact us and we will see if we can help in any way. The session and tea / coffee squash at the break, plus lunch is also free. No matter what time your session is you will be provided with a meal. Here they can learn how to look after animals, groom, cuddle and play and even go on a goat walk all free. They will be taught and helped by an Instructor in groups of 2 or 3 maximum. if we find that 1 child is not comfortable in a small group then we will work with them on a 1 to 1 basis.
To apply for placement all you need to do is contact us and provide us with the Name of the child, age, a reason you think they would benefit from our animal therapy, contact details either email or telephone number and if you have can get a letter of referral from a Dr, school teacher then that is going to guarantee you a placement. All you need it to say is "Child's name" would benefit from some animal therapy sessions due to their anxiety (or depression) on some letter headed paper. It is not essential to get a referral but it helps us ensure the right children are getting the right help needed. These sessions are due to start early 2022 if not before and there are 6 places per session. So 6 children every Saturday morning for example and another 6 children every Saturday afternoon.
If you would like to apply for a future placement for a child and can travel to the farm please send us your details (with preferred time slot too) and when all the dates are confirmed we can then get in touch. Hopeful dates will be in January/ February for three weeks and March / April for the three weeks. Just to clarify, these sessions are for MENTAL WELL BEING and to help those children that are struggling no matter what the issue.