Animal-Assisted Therapy on the Farm

Located in Newburgh, ON

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When everything feels like too much

"I just need to be somewhere that doesn't feel like a waiting room."

"I feel better outside. I always have."

"I can't slow my brain down no matter what I try."

"I don't want to sit across from someone and talk. It doesn't work for me."

"I need space to actually breathe."

"I know what's wrong. I just can't seem to feel any different."

If any of that landed, this might be exactly what you're looking for.

What it’s actually like here

The farm is a working property with over 60 goats, two horses, a cow named Cinnamon, and more animals than most people expect.

For some people, sitting in an office and talking doesn’t help their system slow down. You’re still thinking. Still analyzing. Out here, there’s more space and less pressure, and a lot of people find it easier to breathe and think clearly. People often describe arriving as the first deep breath they’ve taken in a while.

The goats will find you immediately. They’re curious, affectionate, and completely unbothered by whatever you’re carrying that day. The horses are different: quieter, more selective. Sometimes they come close. Sometimes they don’t. Both can tell you something, if you’re paying attention.

Sometimes an animal becomes a metaphor. Sometimes you need to hug a goat when things feel heavy. Both are valid.

What a session looks like

Your first session starts with getting oriented. You’ll meet the animals and get a feel for the space before we begin.

After that, you choose what feels comfortable. We might sit with the goats, walk near the horses, or find a quiet spot in the field. Sessions can include:

✓ Seated or walking time outdoors
✓ Talk therapy in a natural setting
✓ Pausing to notice what’s happening in your body
✓ Time with the animals, if and when you want it

You set the pace. There’s no expectation to interact with the animals, and the therapy doesn’t depend on it. I’ll still guide the session, ask questions, and help you make sense of what comes up. Same work, different room.

Farm sessions are 50 minutes, so there’s time to settle in without rushing. $180 per session.

Book Animal Assisted Therapy

How I approach this work

I’m a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and a Registered Practical Nurse. Animals and nature aren’t the therapy, but they play an active role in it. They help your system settle enough for the real work to happen.

A lot of people have been told to “just breathe” or “be present” without ever being shown what that feels like when it works. One of the things I focus on here is helping you notice what slowing down actually feels like in your body. Not as a concept, but as something real you can identify and come back to when things get hard again.

My work leans most on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), along with Emotion-Focused Therapy and nervous system-based work. ACT fits the farm especially well, since a lot of it is about noticing what’s happening right now and choosing what matters, and that’s easier to practise outside than in an office.

FAQ

About Animal Assisted Therapy

None at all. Most people who come have never spent time on a working farm. The animals — especially the goats — don't require any experience from you. They'll introduce themselves. The horses are a little more on their own terms, and that's part of what makes them interesting to work with. You don't need to do anything except show up.
It's still a therapy session — we're still doing real work together. The difference is the setting. We might sit with the goats, walk near the horses, or find a quiet spot in the field. Sometimes the animals become part of the conversation as a metaphor. Sometimes you just need to hold one when things feel heavy. The session is guided by what's most useful for you that day. Your first session includes time to get oriented to the space and meet the animals before we begin.
There are no physical requirements. That said, it is a working farm — the ground is uneven and can be muddy depending on the season. If you have mobility considerations, please mention it when you reach out and we'll talk through what's possible and what might need to be adapted. I want this to be accessible to as many people as it can be.
That's worth mentioning when you reach out. The goats are very forward — they will approach you, and that's part of what makes them effective in this setting. If you have a specific fear or concern around animals, let's talk about it before your first session so we can plan accordingly. The goal is for the environment to feel safe, not overwhelming.

Fees & Insurance

Sessions are $180. I provide receipts after every session that you can submit to your extended health plan for reimbursement — many plans in Ontario cover Registered Psychotherapy. I also offer direct billing to Green Shield Canada. It's worth checking with your provider to confirm your coverage before your first session.