Te Pãmu – The Farm
Halswell Residential College runs a mini farm which includes a Horticulture Area and animals including Rabbits, Ducks, Hens, Kunekune Pigs, Alpaca, a Donkey and a Miniature Horse, and one of our day school classes is based in the unit.
Animal Assisted Education is not new, many other organisations particularly overseas, use animals as a way of assisting those facing communication, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The philosophy of the development of Te Pãmu is based on the following:
- Frequently children feel depressed, withdrawn and unwanted. They need to feel a sense of connection, a personal bond with another living thing.
- For many, a connection to an adult or peer is threatening. In many of these cases the animal is a logical answer.
- The lessons learned from the animal become the stepping stone for a human connection.
- Nurturing an animal and receiving back unconditional attention and love re-establishes the worth of the child.
- It encourages the child to risk the human connection.
- It provides a realistic, relevant, responsible activity.
- The child sees that the caring serves a need and that it has a related purpose. It connects the child to others who believe in this human animal bond.
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