Animal
Care
Meet the Animals!
At Wild Mind Well-Being CIC, students have the incredible opportunity to work with a wide range of animals, gaining hands-on experience in animal care and learning valuable life skills in the process. Our 25-acre farm is home to a diverse collection of animals, each playing a key role in the educational and therapeutic activities we offer. Here’s a look at the animals you can expect to work with during your time with us:
Horses and Ponies
We have 10 horses and ponies, including two 7hh Shetlands. The Shetlands live in a separate paddock to manage their weight, while the rest live together as a mixed herd of mares and geldings, aged between 3 and 26 years old. All of our horses are barefoot, live naturally, and receive regular care from the farrier, dentist, and vet. Students are involved in all aspects of their care, which includes diet, exercise, enrichment, training, husbandry and regular interaction.
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Other Animals on the Farm
Our farm is home to an amazing variety of animals that have been rehomed to us. Students have the opportunity to work with animals including:
- 25 chickens and turkeys
- 7 goats
- 13 sheep
- 4 farm cats
- Pax the skunk
- Bernard the Large Black pig
- 3 male neutered polecats
- Steve the emu
- Tamarind the African Spotted Owl
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You will also get to care for dogs, tortoises, and a ferret, who come to the farm to interact with students and be cared for.
Earn Certificates
At Wild Minds, students can gain recognised accreditations while learning about animal care. We offer:
- AQA Unit Awards in various aspects of animal care
- ASDAN Animal Care Short Courses, which can accredit between 10 and 60 hours of learners' activities. This covers hands-on involvement with all kinds of animals, from feeding and grooming to health checks and habitat maintenance.
Construction Skills
In addition to working with animals, students can also gain certification in construction by helping to maintain our farm site. Tasks such as building enclosures, maintaining pathways, and other essential farm upkeep provide valuable, real-world construction experiences.
Coaching and Mentoring Program
Our fully comprehensive coaching and mentoring program is delivered by competent, fully accredited mentors. Through this program, students receive tailored support to help them build confidence, learn new skills, and develop emotionally and socially, ensuring they can thrive in all areas of their lives.
We can't wait to welcome you to our farm, where you'll get the chance to connect with animals, develop practical skills, and gain qualifications that will benefit you in the future!