Support group are using SHEEP to help people improve their mental health
1,824 次觀看・10 個月前
Welcome to the support group using SHEEP to help people improve their mental health.
EWE Talk was launched by Emma Redman, 37, and Pippa Ashton, 46, last year.
The non-profit organisation aims to help struggling children and adults.
The pair started with just one sheep - but now have a flock of seven sheep and two goats to help those that are finding life challenging.
Studies have shown that animal therapy can have both psychological and physiological benefits.
Emma said: “One of the things we have always known is how useful animals are as a tool to help those struggling with diversities and mental health issues.
“Sheep aren’t used as therapy animals – people usually think of horse and dog therapy.
“We offer a safe space, if they want to talk to us then they can but maybe they just want to play and giggle and laugh and run around with the sheep.
“We want to be there to help anyone that needs us – we've got so much belief that what we can do is make a difference.”
Emma and Pippa, from Thame, Oxon., started EWE Talk after Emma was given the opportunity to buy a unique breed of sheep - a Valias Blacknose
Valais Blacknose sheep are known for their dog-like temperament - making them the perfect animal to provide emotional support.
From there, the pair realised there was a gap in the market for a unique animal therapy venture and decided to give it a go.
While their goal is to visit schools and educational settings with the fluffy friends, currently they welcome children struggling with their mental health on to the farm.
On some occasions, they've even transported the flock to locals in need of emotional support.
Now, they're hoping to secure more funding to expand their operation.
Emma said: "We are a mobile service which is unique - we load two animals into a vehicle and can go anywhere within the county.
"We can go to people’s houses and help those struggling with loneliness and isolation.
"We’re not alternative education provider, our focus is on wellbeing and emotional support for children with neurodiversity and mental health issues.
"We’ve run pilots with people offering free services mostly from home.
"A young girl came to the farm who had tried all different types of therapies and for first ten minutes she didn’t want to engage.
"After that she was in the stable with the sheep being cuddled - over the hour we started to talk and there was laughter and smiles and she's come back weekly since.
"Every time we see a child benefit from their time with the animals it gives us that passion to move forwards and make a difference.
"We felt honoured that we were able to be there with them and support them and share that with them and they let us in.
"All the children going through these things are superheroes, if we can make difference to a few people's lives then it’s a success."
相關影片推薦
- 2:02歐洲最長「超級高鐵」測試軌道開通 34鋼管連結420公尺路線、時速可達700公里Yahoo奇摩(國際通)13,397 次觀看・10 小時前
- 1:23寶林食安風暴2死者解剖 死者家屬盼司法還公道民視影音5,213 次觀看・10 小時前
- 1:48美樂透「兆彩」連槓30次 頭獎361億元終開出 創紐澤西紀錄Yahoo奇摩(國際通)70,240 次觀看・12 小時前
- 0:45台北橋塞爆! 卡40分鐘 騎士控紅綠燈調配出包東森新聞影音67,233 次觀看・8 小時前
- 1:31穿睡衣褲上班! 中國員工「噁心穿搭」風潮|#鏡新聞鏡新聞4,733 次觀看・1 天前
- 2:53寶林茶室負責人恐轉被告 欠債起底檢警疑內情不純華視影音139,124 次觀看・1 天前
- 0:59鋒面今晚抵達! 南部雨勢大 北部.宜蘭零星降雨華視影音10,215 次觀看・10 小時前
- 1:58墨西哥逾10萬人失蹤 家屬尋親發現「祕密墳場」驚現火化爐、無名墳Yahoo奇摩(國際通)20,551 次觀看・12 小時前
- 1:48奈奈加國困窘生活曝光 被害人:不可置信|#鏡新聞鏡新聞3,199 次觀看・1 天前
- 4:14一分鐘報天氣 / 週五 (03/29) 週四夜至週五鋒面快速掠過 僅北部及東部轉有短暫陣雨Yahoo奇摩新聞(報氣象)1,610 次觀看・6 小時前