News Farm Therapy In Virginia

[Powder]

A goat farmer who's Goat Cuddling post went viral and who had soldiers with PTSD, among others, out to be with the baby goats now has plans to open a 16 acre therapy farm in Virginia, USA.

Dead Link Removed

 

[Alimaria]

This isn't far from me. There is also a local alpaca farm that does this for kids with emotional issues. A friend used their services and swears that it helped her son more than traditional therapy. I have been thinking about putting some volunteer hours there.

 

[Chimera]

I've been fantasizing about a therapy farm, on and off for decades...

 

[Alimaria]

I have no firsthand experience with farm therapy, just my own many pets and animals growing up. I know they were many times my only source of comfort and security. I have no doubt it would be an amazing thing to establish or be a part of.

Are there any in your area, Chimera?

 

[Deleted member 34328]

That's fantastic! I have a bunny companion. He's amazing when I need him most. Who would have thought a rabbit could meet my needs???

 

[Chimera]

Not sure @Alimaria
There was a veteran farm here, but it has transitioned into something else. Blueberry farm, I believe.
I've always searched for horticultural therapy, but maybe aught to look up animal therapy as well..

 

[Chimera]

In looking into ptsd based therapy farms, they are geared towards Veterans and children with disabilities.
No place for people like me.

 

[Deleted member 34328]

I understand what you're saying @Chimera Maybe that's why I got my own pet - don't know. I almost went into animal therapy as a carreer.

I just find that having something warm and furry who enjoys your company as well as keeps all your secrets is very helpful. 'Patches' my bunny, just seems to know when to sit still and when to run and skip. I'm happy to meet his needs and he enjoys being with me.

 

[Powder]

@Chimera that is what I also feel, that there is gov't help for Veterans, which there should be, since 1 in 5 vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD, but there is a huge demand for people with PTSD in general in our world.

Horticultural therapy would benefit many people. Where to obtain the backing to get started and the training and mentor-ship to ensure success?

For those veterans out there who are looking to start their own agricultural business, more power to you, and here is a link to a resource in USA for you: http://www.farmvetco.org/about-us/

You can go to this link and see success stories of real people who have done this and how they used Ag to find a new place. Some like the work, some like being outdoors more than indoors, and other reasons why this works better for them than a 9-5 office building job.

For now, it might work best for those interested in Ag with PTSD who are not veterans to pursue knowledge, training, practice at a farm, and a grant funded by another source.

 

[Chimera]

Those are the questions.
How?
Where?
And a sustainable program with funding and support?
I've looked around...I've yet to find anything for guidance, but I guess the Veteran programs could be used as a prototype?
Though I was thinking more along the lines of a live in working farm, sanctuary. Non exclusive, meaning combat vets with PTSD might also be sistered alongside...
I guess I see something like an extended group of sufferers working towards common goals, living with, alongside or in close proximity to each other. As well as working at being a part of the greater community..
I don't know, I keep coming back to this, but the logistics seem daunting...

 

[Powder]

I agree, Chimera, logistics, cost, risks, and so forth do seem daunting.

It seems it would be difficult to be good at the business side as well as the animal husbandry and vet science sides at the same time. I've read this is what usually gets farmers, that they do what is best for their animals at the expense of the farm's sustainability or business, or don't know how to market things profitably.

I'm an ideas/creative research type of person, but I lack stamina, fortitude, and the kind of endurance for running any kind of business--I get bored. I know I would not be a great farmer, but I would love to be able to visit the same farm and help with it.

This is why I think a matrix of farms dedicated to those with PTSD who could have a like a timeshare or purchase a part of the farms as a coop to visit it for a few weeks and to work the farm during times of the year, for rest from the city, etc, would be a healing process for people and planet.

 

[The ANP]

My long term goal is to open a therapy farm for metal health issues. I've thought about it a lot. It would make most sense for therapists to partner with an established farm as an alternate revenue source as therapy sessions can be billed through insurance. There are also opportunities for supportive employment and work training programs. I am optimistic in the US with the congressional push for landmark funding for mental health treatment more revenue will be available for this sort of thing in the near future.