Welcome to
Foxfields Farm
As SEMH specialists, Foxfields Academy know how much of a positive effect animal therapy can have on pupils. That is why we have our own small holding on site – Foxfields Farm. We are the proud residence for three playful goats, six lovely guinea pigs, two rabbits, two budgies, a horse, and a Shetland Pony.
The animals are very popular amongst the pupils. The children are allowed to interact as much or as little as they want to and are encouraged to study the animal’s behaviour and observe to build confidence and trust.
The Animals
Goats
The goats have their own stable (they hate the rain, so love running for cover on a wet day). They have a large field to graze and pupils get involved with the mucking out, providing hay, health checks and spending time in the field with them and taking them for walks. Our goats are all Anglo Nubian breed. We have three females, all aged 6-years- old – Elsie, Florence and Iris.
Guinea Pigs
We are lucky enough to have six guinea pigs at Foxfields Farm. They are Boo, Betty and Bumble, Pumpkin, Rosalina and Donkey Kong; they love human interaction. We have a designated room for the guinea pigs with a seating area to provide a calm and secure environment for both animal and pupil alike.
Rabbits & Budgies
We have two rabbits called Misty and Inky. They are 7-year-old female Netherland Dwarf Rabbits, and two budgies.
Horses
We have a horse called Harlee, he’s a 6-year-old Mini Cob! The pupils carry out activities with Harlee such as grooming, feeding, lead walking and stable management.
Harlee spends his time during the school day in the paddock; after school and during school holidays, he is in the big field. Staff members ride him three times a week to give him some exercise. He has his own stable, and comes and goes as he pleases, but we do put him to bed at nighttime.
We also have Rosie, she is a 20-year-old Shetland Pony, so Foxfields Farm is her retirement home. The pupils love grooming and giving her little walks.
And guess what, coming soon to Foxfields Farm… ducklings!
