Nourishing Hearts Wellness Care Farm

04/13/2026

Chicken Whisperer ~ Children’s Animal-Assisted Group Therapy

Social-Emotional Learning for Ages 9-12.

8 week program

Wednesdays 6:00 -7:30 pm
May 6 - June 24

Insurance eligible

Is your child struggling with emotional awareness, self-esteem, or resilience? Our unique "Chicken Whisperer" program offers a nurturing environment where children learn vital social-emotional skills through the care and companionship of chickens.

What is Chicken Whisperer?

Chicken Whisperer is an innovative animal-assisted therapy group designed for children aged 9-12. This 8-week program uses the engaging and calming presence of chickens to help children develop:

Emotional Awareness: Identifying and understanding their feelings.

Self-Esteem: Building confidence and a positive self-image.

Positive Self-Talk: Replacing negative thoughts with encouraging affirmations.

Growth Mindset: Embracing challenges and learning from mistakes.

Self-Compassion: Treating themselves with kindness and understanding.

Resiliency: Bouncing back from setbacks and adversity.

Self-Love: Accepting and appreciating themselves for who they are.

By learning to care for chickens, children develop empathy, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of their own needs and emotions.

How it Works

Weekly Group Sessions: Interactive activities and discussions facilitated by trained therapists.

Chicken Care: Hands-on experience feeding, cleaning, and interacting with chickens.

Mindfulness Exercises: Practicing present-moment awareness and emotional regulation.

Creative Expression: Using art and play to explore feelings.

Skill-Building Activities: Targeted exercises to develop specific social-emotional skills.

Each session is carefully designed to create a safe and supportive space where children can connect with themselves, with others, and with the animals around them. Through gentle guidance and positive reinforcement, we empower children to overcome challenges, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of self-worth. The 8 week course is specifically designed to build upon prior weeks to promote a consistent and enriching learning experience.

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits for children, including:
Reduced anxiety and stress
Improved mood and emotional regulation
Increased self-esteem and confidence
Enhanced social skills and communication
Greater empathy and compassion
A stronger sense of connection and belonging

Is Chicken Whisperer Right for Your Child?

This program is ideal for children who:

Experience anxiety or stress
Have difficulty expressing their emotions
Struggle with self-esteem or confidence
Need support with social skills
Love animals or are curious about chickens

The program is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to all children, regardless of their background or experience.
Insurance Coverage

Chicken Whisperer may be eligible for insurance coverage as a form of group therapy. Please contact your insurance provider to verify coverage for social-emotional learning group therapy facilitated by a Master's level registered social worker.

Next Steps

Ready to help your child unlock their full potential?
1. Contact Julie to learn more about the Chicken Whisperer program at www.nourishinghearts.ca, 226-239-3230, julie@nourishinghearts.ca
2. Schedule a consultation to determine if the program is a good fit for your child.
3. Enroll in the next 8-week session and watch your child thrive!

We look forward to welcoming your child to the Chicken Whisperer family!

03/11/2026

Where has the time gone! It was 8 years ago that we brought Cornelius our pig, home and he met his new family. I love our blended adopted family❤️

Cornelius the rescued pig meets his new forever barnyard family including a horse, sheep and goats at Nourishing Hearts Wellness Care Farm. Will he be welcom...

02/20/2026

Today we said goodbye to our sweet George. He was 13 years old. He came to our family 7 years ago. When we adopted him we knew he was blind but then we discovered he was deaf as well. He needed a safe place and we gave that to him. He was such a gentle loving spirit and he lived his days guarding his herd. We love you George and you will live on in our hearts ❤️

10/23/2025

Introducing the newest members of the Nourishing Hearts Wellness Care Team!

Three Brothers.. Caramilk, Twix and Snickers. These three sweet Guinea Pigs can help children, youth and families explore family dynamics including (but not limited to) conflict resolution, differences & similarities, and bonding & love. 💗

Reach out for child and youth counselling, space is limited. Sessions include talk therapy, play therapy, animal-assisted therapy, therapeutic art, and nature-based therapy. Sessions are covered by most insurance companies under social work and counselling services. Services are also covered under the OAP and NIHB programs. If interested, please reach out if you would like a free 20-minute telephone consultation and/or fill out the referral form that can be found on the "Contacts" page on my website www.nourishinghearts.ca. Ages 5 and up. Located in Rodney, ON.

09/16/2025

It is with incredible sadness that I share the passing of our beloved Baa Baa. I feel grateful that I got to share my life with her. She was such a beautiful and gentle spirit with a deep passion and drive for food and foot scratches. As hard as it is to say goodbye, I know “it is better to love than to never love at all”. Rest easy my love, you did good. You touched so many lives and you will live on in our hearts. I miss you already my darling 💔

09/08/2025

Today is the first day of intakes for child and youth counselling, which will continue until the end of next week. Space is limited. Sessions include talk therapy, play therapy, animal-assisted therapy, therapeutic art, and nature-based therapy. Sessions are covered by most insurance companies under social work and counselling services. Services are also covered under the OAP and NIHB programs. If interested, please reach out if you would like a free 20-minute telephone consultation and/or fill out the referral form that can be found on the "Contacts" page on my website www.nourishinghearts.ca. Ages 5 and up. Located in Rodney, ON.

09/07/2025

Nature Assisted Therapy is a therapeutic intervention that incorporate plants, natural materials, and/or outdoor environments. It is based on the idea that people are connected to and impacted by the natural environment. Nature assisted therapy provides an opportunity for people to explore their relationship with nature, not only from what they see, but from what they experience through other senses as well.
Evidence suggests that viewing, interacting with, and living in natural environments can reduce stress, increase patience, increase self-discipline, increase capacity for attention, and speed the recovery from mental fatigue, crisis and psycho-physiological imbalance. Some children and youth, in particular, can benefit from a nature assisted approach. This includes those who struggle socially, have an emotional issue such as anxiety or depression, or who are troubled teens. For kids who enjoy the outdoors, are interested in animals and plants, and like to explore, nature assisted counselling provides a therapeutic environment that creates a calming effect which then allows children to develop social skills, increased confidence and self-esteem.

Check out our services at the farm www.nourishinghearts.ca/nature-assisted-therapy

09/06/2025

Play therapy is a psychotherapeutic treatment approach specifically developed to help children between the ages of 5 to 12 years old. It provides an opportunity for the child to ‘play out’ his or her feelings and problems, just as, in certain adult therapy, an individual ‘talks out’ his or her difficulties.

Check out our service at www.nourishinghearts.ca/play-therapy

09/05/2025

Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals, such as horses, dogs, cats, pigs, goats, sheep, and birds, into the treatment plan. It is used to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapy. Animal Assisted Therapy has been found to be especially helpful to children on the autism spectrum, with a pervasive developmental disorder, and with emotional or behavioural disorders.

Check out our services at the farm www.nourishinghearts.ca/animal-assisted-therapy

09/04/2025

I am thrilled to announce that I am accepting new clients! At the farm, I offer a truly unique blend of talk, animal, art, play, and nature therapies to support children & youth with diverse challenges that include developmental disabilities, autism, ADHD, FASD, anxiety, depression, grief & loss, trauma, low self-esteem, and self-identity. Services are eligible for insurance reimbursement, OAP, and NIHB funding. Space is limited!

09/04/2025

I am so excited to share my newly updated website that features my current counselling and therapy services and also all the new services, programs, and events coming in 2026! Check it out and let me know what you think!

08/19/2025

When I first began dreaming of Nourishing Hearts, it was really important to me that the farm is a safe place for children and youth to just be themselves and their strengths can be explored, discovered and celebrated. A place to belong and shine❤️The tv show, Collar of Duty Kids did an episode on a youth that has been attending the farm for the past several years and shows how she has found comfort at Nourishing Hearts.