Sanctuary Animal Assisted Therapy

OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE:1) ANIMAL RESCUE - THE SANCTUARY TAKES IN UNWANTED, ABUSED, OR NEGLECTED ANIMALS AND HELPS THEM HEAL THROUGH MEDICAL AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS. WE HELP OUR ANIMALS TRUST PEOPLE AND IN RETURN THEY HEAL US. ALL OF OUR ANIMALS WILL LIVE OUR THEIR LIVES AT THE FARM KNOWING ONLY LOVE AND CARE.2) NATURE ASSISTED THERAPY - ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY IS A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION THAT INCORPORATES ANIMALS, SUCH AS HORSES, DOGS, CATS, PIGS, AND BIRDS, INTO THE TREATMENT PLAN. IT IS USED TO ENHANCE AND COMPLEMENT THE BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL THERAPY. ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY CAN BE A USEFUL INTERVENTION FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS. A META-ANALYSIS OF 49 STUDIES REPORTING ON ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY FOUND POSITIVE OUTCOMES AND OVERALL IMPROVED EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN THOSE WITH AUTISM, MEDICAL CONDITIONS, OR BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. ANOTHER REVIEW OF RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED STUDIES FOUND THAT ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY CAN BE HELPFUL FOR THOSE BATTLING ILLNESSES LIKE DEPRESSION, SCHIZOPHRENIA, OR ADDICTION. HORTICULTURAL THERAPY (ALSO KNOWN AS SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE OR STH) IS DEFINED BY THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION (AHTA) AS THE ENGAGEMENT OF A PERSON IN GARDENING AND PLANT-BASED ACTIVITIES, FACILITATED BY A TRAINED THERAPIST, TO ACHIEVE SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT GOALS. THE VISUAL AESTHETICS OF PLANTS ARE KNOWN TO ELICIT FEELINGS OF INNER PEACE, WHICH GENERATES POSITIVE EMOTIONS TOWARD A MEANINGFUL APPRECIATION OF LIFE. DIRECT CONTACT WITH PLANTS GUIDES THE INDIVIDUAL'S FOCUS AWAY FROM STRESS ENHANCING THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE.3) LIFE AND JOB SKILLS TRAINING - THE SANCTUARY IS PRIMARILY OPERATED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH (DIS)ABILITIES FROM THE ADULT SKILLS CENTER. THIS CREATES INTEGRATED JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND PAID JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ANIMAL CARE INDUSTRY. CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS A MEANINGFUL MISSION IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF LIVING A PERSONALLY PRODUCTIVE LIFE. THE SANCTUARY ALSO FACILITATES JOB SKILLS TRAINING SUCH AS WOODWORKING AND PROMOTES HEALTHY LIFESTYLES THROUGH EXERCISE AND HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES.IN 2021, THE SANCTUARY HAD A TOTAL OF 36 RESCUED ANIMALS HELPING AN AVERAGE OF 50 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WEEKLY. THREE INDIVIDUALS GRADUATED FROM THE JOB INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. WE ADDED A NUTRITIONAL PROGRAM TO OUR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.