Providing a source of comfort through the eye of animals

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This is a project of fairly recent beginnings, stemming from an idea that came to Rachel, owner of Little Margate Equestrian Centre, who had seen first-hand the benefit animals can have on children and adults with mental health issues or special educational needs. 

Passing the horse stables and riding centre, the large stretch of land is home to Little Margate’s therapy animals, who live happily in their own little world, while socialising with those who need them. Goats kicked about in the turf alongside their two very friendly sheep pals, the ponies played in the paddock next door, the ducks and chickens could be heard chattering away amongst each other, and the pigs were busy snuffling for goodies in the mud.

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Amy, the equine facilitated learning lead practitioner, oversees the daily running of the activities and therapy sessions. She said: “Little Margate gives people the chance to take an hour out of their day, with no pressures of work or school, or to conform or follow a strict routine. We pride ourselves on being person-led, so each session is tailored to the person using the service.  Sessions can be an extension of school learning or an alternative provision for the young people who come to us, as much as it can be an opportunity to escape daily pressures, it all depends on what they need.”

With a background in education, Amy comes up with specialist targets for the individual. The service users range in age, from 4 to 25, and help people living with the likes of anxiety and depression, neurodivergence and early onset dementia. Little Margate takes referrals from schools and social services, as well as private referrals, and has worked with CAHMS and Sowenna previously. It is the team’s mission to never turn anyone away. 

The riding school had been successfully established for eleven years, and the benefits of spending time with the ponies was evident. When the pandemic hit, it gave Rachel a reason to sit down and research how she could take this a step further. The plans for an animal therapy centre were jotted down, and it all started to take shape. Amy joined shortly afterwards, leaving a job in teaching to combine her love of animals and helping young people, and in June 2023, Little Margate Therapy Animals successfully became a Community Interest Company (CIC).

“When you see a child turn their life around, or overcome a particular obstacle; that’s what we’re doing it all for!”

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In October 2024, the team installed a mini office in the sheep and goat pen, creating a safe space for the service users to work through their therapy sessions. It’s hoped to be improved in the coming months to become a sensory space, and has already been registered as a Healthy Cornwall Safe Space for people who are disabled and neurodiverse.

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The two stars of the show are Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, two adorable miniature ponies who came from a therapy centre in Devon. They are highly trained to walk difficult surfaces, travel in lifts, and deal with people and children of all backgrounds. Piglet has the ability to walk alongside a wheelchair.

If you are interested in the animal therapy services Little Margate provides, visit their website for more information www.littlemargatetherapyponies.co.uk or give the team a call on 01208 367 284.