Goat therapy farm in N.B. adds strawberry u-pick to list of services
A small farm in Burtts Corner, N.B., is combining its therapeutic services with a new strawberry u-pick.
Arthie Bala wanted to turn her family's farm, which is about 30 minutes outside of Fredericton, into a community space.
Last summer, she planted the seeds for Dancing Goat Therapy Farm as a registered psychotherapist where she now offers animal therapy, along with a long list of therapy services.
"It has been a very fulfilling and amazing experience,” Bala said. “Offering the nature, horticulture, and animals in a psychotherapy setting, usually we would meet clients one-on-one in an office setting. Here, we're meeting clients outdoors. The therapy takes place by either walk-and-talk or the client is surrounded and supported by animals."
Bala's clients on the farm are mainly children.
"We see how easy it is for a child to open up and talk about their emotions, because they know the animals are not judgemental, they can just be themselves in front of an animal," she said.
"I like coming at the farm to see all the animals and when I come see the animals, I experience a relief of anxiety,” said her young client Jacob Poirer.
Bala and her husband have even extended the farmland for others to make use of it.
"New immigrants from Brazil and they farm on an acre of land, we have another couple from Ontario who are living 'van life.' They're farming, they're trying to build a sustainable life,” Bala said.
This week, Bala's farm even has a strawberry u-pick open.
"I think it's awesome, it's a great addition to our community,” said Brian Upton who was picking strawberries on Sunday.
“Because we live on Keswick Ridge, which is only 10 minutes away from here and it's nice to not have to run into town, especially with the high prices of gas."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.