THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

We meet the goats and other animals bringing magic to the lives of young people in Cheshire.

Animal therapy sessions are having a profound impact on the mental wellbeing of youngsters in Halton, Cheshire. Emma Wilson went along to meet them.

I’m immediately immersed in pure joy as soon as I enter the session in Halton, Cheshire. Children, young people and their parents and carers crowd around in anticipation to see which creatures they’ll meet today. They share a common bond –a love of animals.

“The first time you come can be a bit intimidating,” shares Emma, “but as soon as you are holding an animal, you don’t care anymore. My favourite is the skunk or millipede.”

There’s also a speedy chinchilla, goats called Ant and Dec, skinny pigs, rabbits, a tortoise, lizards, dogs and frogs.

It’s the visible relaxation that holding an animal brings that is so uplifting for all involved.

There’s a common bond –a love of animals.

Lottie says, “I feel content sitting here with Bruce (a lizard). He makes me feel loved.”

Chloe is studying animal management at college. “I was apprehensive at my first session but after bonding with a rabbit, I’ve loved coming ever since,” she says.

Sessions are run by the Home Safari Animal Assisted Therapy Service. They are designed to improve a child’s self esteem and take away anxiety and loneliness.

Sasha is a prime example of the programme’s impact. “My mum says she can see positive changes in me,” she tells me. “I’m more comfortable with trying new things and have been doing better in school.”

The sessions were launched to familiarise children coming into mental health services with staff and surroundings. But Helen Whittick, clinical manager for Halton Children and Adolescent Mental Health service, says their impact has been much more profound.

“The children and young people get so much from the sessions – one child had tics but when in the sessions, the tics massively reduced. There is so much evidence for the positive impact animals have on people of all ages, especially where there’s mental health and neurodivergent needs.”

Leon says he likes spending time at the sessions with his family and ‘learns a lot about the animals’. His sister Kyra is choosing her GCSE options next year. “There’s an animal care option and I’m hoping to do that,” she says. “My mind goes to another world when I’m with the animals, it feels calm and at peace.”

FIND OUT MORE...Sessions are offered in other areas. merseycare.nhs.uk/animal-therapy