Willows is a registered Scottish charity, and the largest equine, farm and domestic animal sanctuary in Scotland, looking after over 450 rescued animals. For over 20 years, Willows has offered an Animal-Assisted Therapy programme for people with mental health difficulties. It started out as a pilot scheme, but soon came to be regarded as a useful alternative to day/hospital care by social workers, psychiatrists and employment officers. Resultantly, Willows entered into a Service Level Agreement with Aberdeenshire Council to provide this service on an official basis. They now offer therapy to those with learning and physical difficulties, people experiencing issues with substance misuse and homelessness.

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves an animal with specific characteristics becoming a fundamental part of a person's treatment. It is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for the participant. AAT can be provided on an individual or group basis.

Many kinds of animals are used in therapy, including dogs, cats, elephants, birds, dolphins, rabbits, lizards, and other small animals. AAT with horses is known specifically as equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), and is one of the many options offered at the sanctuary.

The Willows' AAT programme has boosted confidence, helped overcome anxiety, taught new skills and opened doors for employability and further education. The therapy programme is run by a team of experienced staff (some of whom have personal experience with mental health issues themselves).

Willows acts as a lifeline for many vulnerable people, and in many cases, is the only programme particular clients are willing to try. They work very closely with employment officers, social workers and back to work programmes, which helps to maintain the high standard of service that they provide.

Willows relies upon the animal sanctuary element opening daily to the public, and proceeds from the café and wholefoods shop they have onsite, to fund the charity and this service.

With the coronavirus outbreak, they have been forced to close the sanctuary and café to the public. This has resulted in the loss of over 50% of their normal income, which has proved devastating for the charity. Unless urgent funds can be secured, it may be that they will have no option but to close permanently.

This would be a real loss to the community, particularly so as there are no other establishments in the area offering this form of therapy.

You can read more about Willows on their website – www.willowsanimals.com