Plan to open animal therapy centre for children

Children would have the chance to walk goats at the site, Animals in Reach said

An "animal interaction therapy centre" aimed at improving children's mental health could open in the North Yorkshire countryside if plans are approved.

Charity Animals in Reach has proposed the development at a farm in the Great Wold Valley to help children with disabilities or who suffer from anxiety and social isolation.

It would offer animal care experiences such as goat walks, grooming and feeding as well as horticultural and craft activities.

The organisation has earmarked a site in the village of West Lutton.

The centre would open in the village of West Lutton

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the charity had asked North Yorkshire Council for consent to change the use of the farm buildings in response to "soaring referrals for support for mental health needs" post-Covid.

The planning documents stated that therapy sessions would include grooming, feeding and petting animals, such as alpacas, and making hideaways for rabbits or tubes for guinea pigs to improve their environment.

Children would also complete health checks, weigh animals, clean enclosures and take dogs or goats for walks on the site.

The application said: “The aim is to build confidence, improve wellbeing and connection with others, supporting young people to re-engage with each other, family, learning and school.

“There are no services for disabled children or children not attending school in the valley and many children stay at home, leading to isolation and increased mental health difficulties.”

'Safe and calm'

Animals in Reach said its work would align with the council’s health and wellbeing goals, supporting individuals through personalised programmes, animal care qualifications and decision-making tasks.

It said: “We will provide a venue that is safe and calm for some children and young people with special educational needs, who would struggle to visit larger public settings."

Alongside sessions with small groups of children, Animals in Reach also said it intended to hold family days for parents and children - but would not operate as a general visitor attraction.

The document added: “Animals in Reach is not going to be open to the public as a petting zoo, or have unplanned groups arriving to access the site.”

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