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Meet Our Animals Who Help Special Needs Children In Ways That We, Humans, Struggle To
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Meet Our Animals Who Help Special Needs Children In Ways That We, Humans, Struggle To

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The goats are playing the piano! You may think it’s a joke but it happens in our house. I blame the cat, our fantastical cat called Thula who helped my daughter with autism in ways that we, humans, struggled to and their bond has inspired a movement of special needs parents to see how these adorable animals can heal and teach our special needs kids. So we live in harmony with these farm animals and in turn, they help us with our little charity.

I created an autism-friendly kids club, The Little Explorers Activity Club, that offers Animal Assisted Therapy. A safe and understanding environment to have fun and socialize with other families alongside animal therapy that is very successful with anxiety, autism, ADD, ADHD, depression, and many other conditions. It has been seen to lower blood pressure, help concentration, calm anxiety, and build confidence. Interacting with these cute animals increases attention spans and has a positive calming effect helping with social interaction.

More info: justgiving.com | thelittleexplorersactivityclub.com | Facebook

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    ‘The Goats are playing the piano, G#!’

    Have you ever heard of Goat Agility? Well, Smurf and Murph, our 2 pygmy goats are experts

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    Helping to improve communication skills

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    Blue, a rescue pony not only turned his life around but is now helping children on the autism spectrum

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    Jack, an ex-sports horse who had to retire through injury is now on an exciting journey with these children

    Casper is our old faithful in the herd, young at heart but has so much wisdom to share

    Spending time with him, learning to just be in the moment is a beautiful experience

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    Luna and Shadow, our beautiful rabbits, are perfect for those who are sensitive to noise as they are very quiet furry friends

    Their coat is gloriously soft, instant smiles and the calming effect is clear for all to see

    Our gerbills, Jerry & Gonzo, are inquisitive and curious, encouraging the children to interact

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    Finally, Thula, our Maine-Coon cat, founder of the club, aka the Queen!

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    We find out what the children are interested in and use those special interests to encourage new experiences

    This all provides a non-stressful, non-judgmental environment and increases self-confidence

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    They learn to build bonds and trust

    The release of endorphins (oxytocin) has a calming effect on children that struggle with emotional dysregulation. We work to restructure their emotional response, thus access whole brain learning

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    It has been clinically documented that just being around horses changes human brainwave patterns

    We calm down and become more centered and focused when we are with them

    Being herd animals, they rely on an acute stream of sensory data to sense safety or danger; they can also hear human heartbeat within four feet

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    Research on heart-rate variability indicates that horses have a profound ability to synchronize their own heartbeat with that of humans

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    Horses have an innate ability to help us heal our emotional wounds

    They are masters of reading physical movement, facial expressions, and tone of voice, which often is missed by us

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    These majestic animals can teach us so much about our own behavior and body language which can help us to understand and control our energy patterns in order to express ourselves more clearly

    Animals also offer a powerful multi-sensory stimulus, they provide spontaneous behavioral responses which are simple and easy for children to interpret

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    With the help of these wonderful animals, we can connect, encourage and inspire

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    Arabella Carter-Johnson

    Arabella Carter-Johnson

    Author, Community member

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    Photographer and Sunday Times Best Selling Author of 'Iris Grace'

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    Arabella Carter-Johnson

    Arabella Carter-Johnson

    Author, Community member

    Photographer and Sunday Times Best Selling Author of 'Iris Grace'

    Violeta Draseikaitė

    Violeta Draseikaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    My name is Violeta and I am an editor here at Bored Panda. I love reading memes for a living. It’s obviously much more than that, but I appreciate the variety of topics, information, and pics I get to see every day and share with the world! Those funny memes really make my day too. Being born in the ’90s in post-Soviet Lithuania speaks more about me than I’d like to admit. I’m still learning about the world and myself, but I do love my friends, traveling, art, and my cat. My favorite fact to share about myself is that I used to hide meatballs in my friend’s pockets at lunch so I could go play outside. I wish all those meatballs could find their way back to me someday.

    Read less »

    Violeta Draseikaitė

    Violeta Draseikaitė

    Moderator, BoredPanda staff

    My name is Violeta and I am an editor here at Bored Panda. I love reading memes for a living. It’s obviously much more than that, but I appreciate the variety of topics, information, and pics I get to see every day and share with the world! Those funny memes really make my day too. Being born in the ’90s in post-Soviet Lithuania speaks more about me than I’d like to admit. I’m still learning about the world and myself, but I do love my friends, traveling, art, and my cat. My favorite fact to share about myself is that I used to hide meatballs in my friend’s pockets at lunch so I could go play outside. I wish all those meatballs could find their way back to me someday.

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    Christina Kempf
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it's a great thing animals can help everyone understand ,love they come us make us smile make us just so warm in our hearts and just what they can do for little kids ,young people who need just a bit more love and encouragement understanding remember animals don't judge us so u go for it help is on the way good thing u are doing

    Laugh Fan
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So true (though my dog definitely judges me when I'm not sharing my food with her!). 😜

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    Christina Kempf
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it's a great thing animals can help everyone understand ,love they come us make us smile make us just so warm in our hearts and just what they can do for little kids ,young people who need just a bit more love and encouragement understanding remember animals don't judge us so u go for it help is on the way good thing u are doing

    Laugh Fan
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So true (though my dog definitely judges me when I'm not sharing my food with her!). 😜

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