Located at Dreamer Farm in Mequon, Wisconsin, our Nature & Animal Therapy programs focus on spending time out in nature and being with different animals around the farm.

Our Nature Therapy program provides individuals the opportunity to explore their relationship with nature through numerous hands-on activities. Whether it's walking trails, trimming trees, observing butterflies and bugs, or simply spending time outdoors, individuals will experience the therapeutic effect of nature through their own unique activity preferences. Nature Therapy is most notably used for significant stress reduction, improved self-confidence and self-discipline, and as a means of fostering a broader sense of community.

In conjunction with Nature Therapy, we offer Animal Therapy to further assist healing and development of emotional and social skills. Animals are accepting, non-threatening, and non-judgmental, making it easier for individuals to open up and work through the difficulties they are experiencing on a deep level. Many individuals find that they bond with specific animals based on their similar personalities and shared struggles. Some of our rescued horses experience the same stress, anxiety, and difficulties that humans do, and many people find they are able to relate to these horses as a result of their similarities.

In addition to numerous health benefits, Animal Therapy is also shown to lessen depression, decrease feelings of isolation and alienation, encourage communication, increase socialization and sense of community, decrease anxiety, improve focus and attention, increase self-esteem and the ability to care for oneself, increase trust, empathy, and teamwork, improve self-control, and enhance problem-solving skills.

Some of the activities individuals can look forward to when participating in Nature and/or Animal Therapy include:

• walking trails

• collecting chicken eggs

• butterfly + insect observation

• picking wild flowers

• feeding chickens

• exploring fields

• Spending time with cats and dogs

• Observing the ducks