Animal-Assisted Therapy
Nature’s Edge Therapy Center ensures that every animal maintains standard animal wellness guidelines. Our animals all have a willingness to share their love with our families. Nature’s Edge is home to a variety of animals that are specially trained to help our patients reach their highest potential for independent living.
What is Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)?
More than simply spending time with an animal, Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a therapist-guided experience designed to improve a patient’s mental, physical, social and emotional functioning through interactions with an animal. At Nature’s Edge, our therapy animals include dogs, cats, a donkey, a llama, pot-bellied pigs, a parrot, and sheep, each chosen for their characteristics and contributions in relation to the patient’s specific goals.
The Method of Animal-Assisted Therapy
For example, a patient with difficulty in the areas of concentration, communication, and fine motor control will be encouraged to pay attention to a story. The patient is then introduced to a parrot and will take turns with the parrot, repeating specific words and turning pages, as directed by the therapist.
Many aspects of speech, occupational and physical therapy can be enhanced through animal assistance. Patients form complete sentences by greeting and conversing with animals; they sequence actions by giving commands to them. They read to them and practice directional concepts. They walk with them, run and jump with them or throw toys for them to retrieve, gaining motor skills. They learn about healthy eating by feeding and treating them and about hygiene by bathing them and even brushing their teeth. They talk about bullying, timidity or trust with animal companions, observing animal interactions as examples. They brush our animals and stroke and hold them, increasing sensory tolerance.
Each animal-assisted therapy session is documented and the patient’s progress is evaluated on an ongoing basis.
What are the Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Physical
- Improved fine motor skills
- Improved wheelchair skills
- Improved balance
- Lower blood pressure
Social
- Improved fine motor skills
- Improved wheelchair skills
- Improved balance
- Lower blood pressure
Emotional
- Improved fine motor skills
- Improved wheelchair skills
- Improved balance
- Lower blood pressure
Cognitive
- Improved fine motor skills
- Improved wheelchair skills
- Improved balance
- Lower blood pressure
Nature’s Edge Therapy Center Animal Biographies
Ariel
Ariel is a Rhodesian Red hen born on May 22, 2023. While she doesn’t love being held, she provides us with great eggs and is always fun to watch.
Bertha
Bertha is a Bar Rock chicken born on May 22, 2023. Like Ariel, she does not enjoy being held or petted but lays eggs and enjoys spending time with Ariel and Fred.
Fred
Fred, born on June 15, 2022, is a Serama chicken who enjoys being held and petted. He loves interacting with Ariel and Bertha.
Henrietta
Henrietta, a sweet Serama chicken born on June 15, 2022, who lives with Rudy and lays eggs for us.
Rudy
Rudy is our most social Serama rooster, born on June 15, 2022. He is very talkative and loves to interact with everyone.
Pip
Pip is a Sarama born on August 4th, 2025. Pip is the baby of Rudy and Henrietta.
Victoria
Victoria is a Jubilee Orpington born on May 25th, 2025.
Frita
Frita is a Lavender Orpington born on May 25th, 2025.
Coco
Coco is a Lavender Orpington born on May 25th, 2025.
Webster
Webster is an Appleyard/Mallard Cross born on July 31st, 2025. She was donated by Wendy Abrose.
Waddles
Waddles is an Appleyard/Mallard Cross born on August 7th, 2025. He’s the youngest of our ducks and was donated by Wendy Abrose.
Puddles
Puddles is an Appleyard/Mallard Cross born on July 31st, 2025. She was donated by Wendy Abrose.
Kit Kat
Kit Kat is our Brown Jersey cow, born on March 1, 2013, and was donated by Brandi Lefeber. She traveled all over Wisconsin with a horse for training before coming to us. Kit Kat loves people, giving kisses, and going for walks with everyone.
Daisy
Daisy, our potbellied pig, was born on March 9, 2007, and donated as a baby by Vern and Fran Horn. She loves people, pets, and, of course, food!
Olo
Olo, born on May 10, 2012, was donated by Audrey Johnson. He used to live in an apartment in Minneapolis before coming to Nature’s Edge. He enjoys scratches, pets, and food.
Helen
Helen is a Babydoll/Finn sheep, born on March 13, 2021. She was donated as a baby by Susan Wiegrefe and is our pack leader. She greets everyone and always requests food!
Samara
Samara is a Babydoll/Finn sheep, born on March 27, 2025. She was donated as a baby by Susan Wiegrefe. She’s an identical twin with Samantha.
Samantha
Samara is a Babydoll/Finn sheep, born on March 27, 2025. She was donated as a baby by Susan Wiegrefe. She’s an identical twin with her sister Samara.
Roxy
Roxy, our guard donkey, was born on November 23, 2018. She had no socialization when we bought her, but now she loves everyone. She still needs encouragement to explore new areas on her walks.
Ruby
Ruby, Roxy’s daughter, was born on June 28, 2021. She is affectionate, enjoys being petted and brushed, and loves going on walks.
Zeus
Zeus, our playful barn cat, was donated by the Washburn County Humane Society and was born on September 29, 2020. He is our dedicated mouse patrol officer!
Penny
Penny, our barn cat, was donated by the Washburn County Humane Society and born on September 1, 2021. She is very cuddly and loves pets.
Mable
Mabel, a Rough Collie/Pyrenees mix, was born on July 25, 2018, and was donated by the Eric McNeil family. She is a registered therapy dog and leads the way in protection and observation at the center.
Lucky
Lucky, a Bernese Mountain Dog/Pyrenees mix, was born on May 7, 2022. He patrols the property and considers himself the ‘boss dog.’ He is also a registered therapy dog.
Tippy
Tippy, a Border Collie born on March 6, 2013, is also a registered complex-rated Pet Partner therapy dog, READ dog, and AACR dog. His favorite person is our director, Becky.
Cheerio
Cheerio, our Congo African Grey parrot, was born on May 26, 2000. She is incredibly intelligent, can converse well, and has even appeared on Channel 9 television in Minneapolis.
Bell
Bell, born on May 16, 2018, is a fantastic therapy horse and the personal horse of our director. She is eager, has a great stride, and is wonderful for therapy sessions.
Bobbi Jo
Bobbi Jo, a registered POA, was born on April 28, 2013, and is an outstanding horse for both ground and mounted therapy sessions.
Rose
Rose, a registered Paint/Pinto horse, was born on March 24, 2004. Originally trained by Becky for therapy, she did not enjoy having side walkers, handlers, and patients simultaneously. At age nine, she found a loving home as a 4H show horse before being donated back to Nature’s Edge at age 19 by Christy and Jocelyn Kobernick. Now, Rose is happy, enjoys therapy sessions, her friends in the pasture, and interacting with staff and patients.
Dee
Dee, a registered Icelandic horse, was born on May 29, 2008, and donated by Wanda Ducommun. She moves gracefully and is great for our patients.
Sonny
Sonny, Dee’s son, was born on May 4, 2013, and is a registered Icelandic horse. Sonny was donated by Wanda Ducommun. He is our most popular horse for hippotherapy sessions and adores attention.
KC
KC, a double-registered Quarter Horse/Paint, was born on June 17, 2019. She has been trained for hippotherapy sessions and is a sweet mare.
Svali
Svali was born January 1, 1990, and came from SanIez California by David and Heidi Kline. He is a registered Icelandic and is superb for any patient and loves ground and mounted activities.
Simba
Simba, our Gypsy Vanner, was born on December 18, 2007, and was donated by LexLin Gypsy, Barb Flouro, Theresa Brommer, and Shawn and Becky Payne. Simba is steady, patient, and loved by everyone.
Pride
Pride is a registered Miniature Horse owned by the director’s son. Born on May 14, 2002, he is also registered as a Pinto and is eager for any equine-assisted ground activity.
Valebu
Valebu, a registered Norwegian Fjord, was born on September 5, 2000. He was donated by Connie, Crysten, and Clint Nesseth. A former dressage competitor, he is now a beloved therapy horse.
Hermana
Hermana was donated by the Washburn County Humane Society and was born on April 19, 2021. She is cautious around new people but enjoys subtle acts of affection.
Myrtle
Myrtle was donated by the Washburn County Humane Society and born on May 4, 2021. She is curious, enjoys riding on shoulders, and is an excellent hunter.
Princess
Princess was donated by the Washburn County Humane Society and born on August 12, 2015. She is a Snowshoe Siamese and is very social and curious.
Precious
Precious was born on October 1, 2016, and was donated from the Washburn County Humane Society. She was the longest resident there and was said to not like cats or people. However, she warmed up to our director and now enjoys human company. While she still isn’t social with other cats, she loves every patient, volunteer, and staff member—especially when she gets a head massage!
Simba
Simba is one of our house cat’s, who is Nala’s brother. He was left unattended in a box and was born on September 16, 2021, according to veterinarians. He is curious and watchful, but not as snuggly.
Nature’s Edge Incorporates Animal-Assisted Therapy
We encourage you to contact us at Nature’s Edge to learn more about our services!
Hippotherapy & Equine-Assisted Therapy
Hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy are physical, occupational, and speech therapy treatment strategies that may be utilized within a therapeutic environment to improve function. Hippotherapy, taken from the Greek word hippos – meaning horse – literally means “treatment with the help of the horse” and refers to the use of the horse’s movement to engage the patient’s sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems, promoting functional outcomes. Hippotherapy is used at Nature’s Edge as part of an integrated treatment program for many disorders and is especially beneficial for children and young people with autism and/or Asperger’s Syndrome.
When hippotherapy is integrated into a treatment plan, the patient is engaged in activities on the horse that are enjoyable and challenging. The speech, occupational or physical therapist addresses specific functional goals by utilizing different positions for the patient such as sitting or laying forwards, backward or sideways; standing in the stirrups, or riding without using the hands. The patient may also be asked to stretch, reach or play games while on the horse. The therapist continuously analyzes the patient’s response and adjusts the horse’s movement accordingly for optimum treatment benefits.
Safety is of primary importance. In addition to the speech, occupational or physical therapist with preparation in treatment principles using hippotherapy, a specially-trained handler leads the horse during the therapy session, with sidewalkers on each side of the horse to ensure the patient’s safety.
Equine-assisted therapy, in contrast to hippotherapy, usually takes place off the horse, with the speech, occupational or physical therapist using interactions with the horse and patient to carry out specific activities addressing the patient’s treatment goals. Examples of treatment goals that may be addressed using equine-assisted therapy include personal hygiene, motor strengthening, social skills, nonverbal communication, sequencing, and memory.
The horses used in hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy are also specially selected and trained. At Nature’s Edge, we have a variety of horses available, which enables us to match each patient with an appropriate horse in terms of size, pace, gait, and character.
Typical Impairments Addressed by Hippotherapy and Equine-Assisted Therapy
Impairments that may be modified through treatment incorporating hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy include:
- Abnormal tone
- Impaired balance responses
- Impaired coordination
- Impaired communication
- Impaired cognitive function
- Impaired sensory processing function
- Postural asymmetry
- Poor postural control
- Decreased mobility
Who May Benefit from Hippotherapy and Equine-Assisted Therapy?
Common medical conditions for which treatment that integrates hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy may be beneficial includes:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cerebral palsy
- Stroke
- Developmental delay
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Learning or language disabilities
However, we recognize that incorporating horses or the movement of horses is not for every patient. Our trained therapists evaluate each potential patient on an individual basis.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We’d love to talk to you about how treatment strategies such as hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy may be beneficial to your loved one!