So we are proud members of EAGALA and use the EAGALA methods in all our equine work - So far so good.

But we also do something a bit different with all our animal assisted therapy – something that we believe gives us a real edge in this field – we use rescued animals.

Experts in the field of Animal Assisted Therapy have traditionally advocated using only properly vetted and sourced animals in AAT.

Although we always understood the premise of this advice – no-one wants to be shut in a room with a bad tempered Rottweiler – we could see its limitations in terms of the quality of the therapy being offered.

Our own experience had taught us over the years that an abused or neglected animal, although initially traumatised, once brought into a safe and caring environment often had more love to give than a prima donna pedigree pampered pet.

There is a rationale behind this:

• An animal that has been abused and is aggressive can in time and in the right environment learn to trust.
  
  
• The person that the animal learns to trust can gain a tremendous sense of fulfilment and self-worth from the effort required to bring about this change.
  
  
• Many of our young people and adults have been through similar situations to these animals: they may have been abused, they may have suffered and learned mistrust, and they may have been dealt with aggressively and therefore used aggression. They make this connection, even subconsciously.
  
  
• When they see how an animal's behaviour can be changed dramatically just by using positive reinforcement, they can relate to this and see how their own behaviour can change.
  • The benefits of interacting with "needy" animals can include:
  • Help with changing former fixed attitudes
  • People often have fixed attitudes regarding the care and treatment of animals.
  • During the process of caring for animals we can challenge our young people on their views in relation to the training or feeding of animals.
  • Challenging and assisting them to consider alternative viewpoints and change practice can be made easier by the use of animals.
  • An interest in what the animals need.

The focus of the activity is a living breathing animal which is dependent on others for food and water, and this can often be the motivation for learning more about their care. The enthusiastic response of the animal, particularly the larger ones such as the pigs and the goats, can also encourage clients to learn more about their daily needs so that they can assume a degree of responsibility. A caring attitude when looking after our animals, clients often demonstrate a caring attitude and a keenness to learn about the needs of the animals that we have not before seen in them.

They can show compassion and even tenderness towards animals that they have not shown, or struggle to show, to fellow human beings.

They also seem to be drawn towards animals with a disability and it is possible that they identify with the animals that struggle, and are different from the rest.

Sometimes this leads to a discussion about pets they been attached to and lost, and this often extends into wider aspects of loss they are experiencing/have experienced. Caring for a living animal appears to open avenues of discussion that would not be so easy otherwise.

It opens the conversation to 'softer' topics.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)

EAL is similar to EAP but here the focus is on learning skills or on educational goals.

• Raising self esteem
  
• Building confidence
  
• Problem solving
  
• Communicating
  
• Relating to others
  
• Partnering and team work
  
• Planning and life skills