Our Therapeutic Offering
We offer three kinds of therapeutic interventions on the farm alongside our other experiences. Of course, we consider all of our experiences to be therapeutic in the sense that they have a positive impact on emotional well-being. In fact, there is research to suggest that just being with animals can reduce blood pressure, lower heart rate and alleviate feelings of tension and anxiety. The activities which we will describe here are for those who who are experiencing difficulties in their lives and seek more than our everyday experiences. They may have additional physical or psychological needs which mean that a group experience is difficult for them or they may want to make specific changes in their lives and want to engage in structured therapy. There may, of course, be many other reasons that you are considering spending time with the alpacas and as always we are happy to consider any reasonable request as long as it is safe for both human and animal. See slide show below. Slide finger across if you're using a smart device to move between slides.
Individual well-being sessions
These will be stand-alone individual/private sessions for those who want to spend time in the company of the alpacas but for whom group experiences are difficult. The sessions will last one hour and can be attended by an individual, parent and carer or small family group (maximum 6) The cost of the session will be between £50 and £90 and will depend on the number of attendees and the level of involvement from a member of Lower Bush Alpacas staff. This can range from a brief safety introduction only to a full hour of facilitation which can include learning about and feeding the alpacas and learning some breathing, relaxation and grounding strategies.
Alpaca-assisted therapy sessions
Courses of animal assisted therapy provided by Jemeela, a qualified Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years experience of working in NHS mental health services. Owing to Jemeela’s main area of expertise, these sessions will be primarily for children and young people with additional needs including emotional, behavioural, communication and sensory difficulties and diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder.
An initial assessment will be completed before offering a formulation (understanding of a person’s difficulties) and agreeing an intervention plan with specific goals. The number of sessions will depend on the formulation and the evidence based intervention being used. An initial number of sessions will be agreed following which progress will be reviewed and further sessions agreed, if indicated. Interventions will draw on variety of models including cognitive and behavioural therapy as well as Jemeela’s experience of working with children and families with neurodevelopmental and learning disabilities over the last eight years.
Mindfulness with Alpacas
Individual | Group Course | One off Courses
Starting spring 2021
Contact us to discuss Individual,
Group or One off sessions.
Also to be added to our mailing list.