A Mindful Paws' primary objective is to provide accessible, community-based mental health support to young people using alternative, evidence based interventions. They provide Dog Assisted Therapy in a group and individually, Mindfulness Skills and an Arts & Crafts Social Group.
This activity is good for wellbeing because
- The presence of a therapy dog makes therapy feel more accessible to young people.
- The Arts & Crafts Social Group is a safe place to socialise and express themselves creatively with no pressure to participate in specific activities.
- It is easier for young people to consider how dogs manage their emotions and stress and they can then apply that to their own challenges.
“I appreciate A Mindful Paws because it has helped me learn about others struggles, to not feel alone and how to react to situations without stress and with different examples.”
“Great course, it really helped our daughter gain perspective after her recent experiences. Very well done and the dogs really help break the ice and convey a message. I feel this course is invaluable to many traumatised and unwell children.”
How to contact
Where to go
Gateway House
Huntingdon
United Kingdom
PE29 3BN
What to expect
A Mindful Paws provides a safe space where young people aged 13-25yrs can access support and relief from their emotional or mental health difficulties with experienced and qualified staff.
They provide a range of support, including support from a Young People’s Worker, canine assisted therapy (group and 1:1), a mindfulness group, 1:1 support from a systemic practitioner, along with bespoke short projects such as yoga, aromatherapy, bushcrafts, life skills for LAC (Looked After Children), etc.
They create programmes and projects based on what their young people would like and would find helpful.
More information
Young people need to be referred by any professional that knows them via a referral form which can be downloaded here.
Sessions take place in the Gateway Building at Hinchingbrooke School. Participants are met at the school entrance gates and accompanied to and from the building where sessions take place.
There is ample parking in the school car park and there is a bus stop opposite. The building is wheelchair accessible.
The clinicians running the group are two mental health nurses and a family worker, all with many years of working with young people and families. Some people attend both of the groups they run or a combination of group and individual therapy sessions, depending on individuals’ needs.
This service is free
How to contact
Where to go
Gateway House
Huntingdon
United Kingdom
PE29 3BN
