Programs we offer

What are Animal Assisted Interventions?

• Animal Assisted Interventions consist of goal orientated sessions working with animals in physical ways involving a combination of: physical movement, cognitive and sensory activities, social interactions and emotional co-regulation. The animals work as facilitators in the interventions and all activities support the building of confidence and other areas of wellbeing.

How is it carried out?

• Structured sessions incorporating goal orientated activities that are practical and involve animals including goats, ponies, alpacas, sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs with emotional, social and wellbeing outcomes. An example of a session could include a child being given the skills to train a goat to jump an obstacle! By training and working alongside the goat the child is learning voice control, giving instructions and developing a sense of self-worth and positive leadership.

Particularly useful for:

• Re-engaging children in learning in unique and memorable ways
• Increasing motivation and returning to a joy of learning
• Increasing engagement in physical activities
• Hands on learning for children that learn through doing 
• Sensory, motor development and emotional regulation
• Concentration, memory enhancement and whole brain body connections
• Children, young people and adults with Special Educational Needs
• Children, young people and adults with Mental Health difficulties

What is Equine Assisted Coaching or Therapy?

• Equine Assisted Coaching and Therapy at Higher Farm consist of goal orientated sessions working with horses in physical ways involving a combination of: physical movement, cognitive and sensory activities, social interactions and emotional co-regulation. The animals work as facilitators in the interventions and all activities support the achievement of agreed goals.

How is it carried out?

• Structured sessions incorporating goal orientated activities that are practical and involve horses with life goals.

Coaching particularly useful for:

• Achieving your lifelong SMART goals
• Achieving more purpose and direction in your life
• Achieving career orientated goals set in the session such as ‘I want to be a great leader’ or ‘I aim to talk more in group discussions at team meetings’
• Making necessary changes to your life to ensure happiness 
• Adults with performance appraisal goals at work looking for inspiration
• Adults looking for career enhancement  

Therapy particularly useful for:

• Improved emotional regulation as our nervous system aligns with the horse/s
• Understanding how to regulate own nervous system 
• Understanding mental health difficulties leading to making positive changes 
• Improving many aspects of mental health
• Developing a deeper understanding of self 
• Young people and adults with Mental Health difficulties

What is Animal Assisted Learning?

• Animal Assisted Learning is an educational approach that integrates our animals into learning activities to encourage academic development and foster a love of learning. It provides a practical, hands on, engaging learning experience that supports children and young people to learn in a unique and motivating way.

How is it carried out?

• Structured sessions incorporating traditional subjects including reading, writing and maths but can be focussed on goals in any subject! It could include anything from building a bridge for the goats to cross using planks with prime numbers on to creating a story with alpacas going to a fairy castle over the river. In these sessions we think outside the box!

Particularly useful for:

• Re-engaging children in learning in unique and memorable ways
• Increasing motivation and returning to a joy of learning
• Increasing engagement in physical activities
• Hands on learning for children that learn through doing 
• A calm and supportive environment for learning
• Sensory, motor development and emotional regulation
• Concentration, memory enhancement and whole brain body connections
• Children, young people and adults with Special Educational Needs
• Children, young people and adults with Mental Health difficulties

Craniosacral Therapy

• Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands on therapy that works with the body’s natural rhythms to release tension, support the nervous system and promote deep relaxation. It helps restore balance and encourages the body’s self-healing processes.

How is it carried out?

• The therapist uses light touch to tune into the body’s craniosacral system. Sessions take place in a calm, safe environment, allowing the body to unwind naturally. Focus is on releasing restrictions in the fascia, nervous system and deeper structures. 
• Each session is tailored to the individual’s needs, whether for relaxation, trauma support or deeper healing. 
• Particularly useful with young children this therapy can be carried out alongside animal assisted therapy, where the presence of an animal provides additional grounding, emotional support and co-regulation and does not need to be on a bed when carried out in this way. If this is preferable please indicate when booking whether the addition of animals would be required.

Particularly helpful for:

• Reducing stress, anxiety and emotional overwhelm
• Supporting recovery from trauma both physical and emotional
• Enhancing sleep quality and relaxation
• Relieving tension and discomfort in the body
• Improving focus, self-awareness and emotional resilience
• Babies that have experienced trauma with delivery
• Children, young people and adults with Autism and other Special Educational Needs
• Children, young people and adults with Mental Health difficulties

Neurofeedback

• Neurofeedback is an important tool in the field of psychology and neuroscience offering a non-invasive and drug-free approach to improving brain functioning. It’s effectiveness, safety, and long-lasting effects make it a groundbreaking alternative to traditional treatments. 

How is it carried out?

•  We will place electrodes on your scalp using a conductive paste, You then relax and engage with an animation, film, or video game on a TV screen that gives visual, auditory and tactile feedback as you sit comfortably. Clients find the experience both therapeutic and enjoyable. Towards the end of the session the electrodes and paste are easily removed. 

Neurofeedback is particularly useful for those with:

• PTSD
• Mental Health difficulties
• Anxiety
• ADHD
• Autism
• Sleep disorders
• What are the benefits?
• Highly individualised
• Long lasting, sustained change to neural pathways
• Safe and natural alternative to medication
• Non-invasive and painless
• Life changing – in a great way!

What are Circus and 

Co-ordination Skills?

• Circus Skills involve a wide range of fun movements and activities that develop physical motor skills, co-ordination and balance. The range of equipment includes: juggling clubs, scarfs and balls, mini tandems, bucket stilts, spinning plates, balance beams, scoot bugs, diablos, pedal go’s, balance bike, mini-bikes and even a wide range of uni-cycles, circus bikes and mini penny farthings.

Where is it carried out?

• Structured sessions are carried out on the smooth surface of Higher Farm yard and / or in the Sports barn or we can come to you if you book a large group visit on your school day, summer fair, prom or other special occasion. 

What are the benefits?

• Re-engaging children in learning in unique and memorable ways
• Increasing motivation and returning to a joy of learning
• Increasing engagement in physical activities
• Hand eye co-ordination and balance
• Hands on learning for children that learn through doing 
• Sensory, motor development and emotional regulation
• Dexterity enhancement
• Concentration, memory enhancement and whole brain body connections
• Children, young people and adults with Special Educational Needs
• Children, young people and adults with Mental Health difficulties