Animal Therapy

At My Step Up we consider animal therapy to be an important activity for our clients and the benefits have been many. 

Animal therapy describes the activity of engaging with animals, like caring for them and spending time with them. This remedial exercise is considered to be therapeutic and has positive effects on outlook of life, attitude and wellbeing.

In recent years, especially in studies, animal therapy is being considered as more and more beneficial for people with disabilities, autism, mental health problems and social anxiety.

Pet Therapy

Having a pet like a dog or a cat can help you feel safe and relieve social anxiety.

We understand it isn't always easy to get your own pet so our clients have the opportunity to engage and befriend many different animals on the farm. We have dogs, sheep, horses, pigs, goats and many more.

We find many of our clients like to engage with different animals or they have a preference with one kind. Depending on what our client wants to do we can specialise and tailor their day activities so they can spend more time with the animal they prefer. 

If you feel uncomfortable around one type of animal, it's okay, we can make sure you spend less time with that animal or we can also help you increase your confidence. 

Benefits Wellbeing 

Studies about animal therapy and pet therapy have proved they have positive effects on people. In particular there have been positive results with people who have disabilities, mental health issues and social anxiety. 

Engaging with animals has many benefits:

• Increase confidence
• Improve social skills
• Help you feel safe
• Benefit fitness
• Inspire happiness

We have been proud to see the positive effects animal therapy has had on our clients. We have witnessed an increase in confidence and positive behaviour in many of our clients who have spent time with the animals we have at our day centre.