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Waulkmill Menagerie Petting Farm

Hands On Animal Experience

 

Waulkmill Farm, New Deer,

Turriff, Aberdeenshire AB53 6UP

T: 07983 556389

 

Access Our Shopping page Here

Download and view our price list below and message us your order details.

We can let you know if it is in stock and any additional postage charge if its not being collected.

Price List

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£6 per person / Under 2's FREE

 

Opening to the public from Saturday 1st April 2023

No booking required.

We are open every Saturday and Sunday

with additional days during school holidays.

Download our 2023 open days document below

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We hope to see you all back to our happy place very soon!

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Drop-Off Kids Animal Club 2023

10am - 2pm • £30 per session

Various Fun Activities, crafts, games & animal interaction

Complete a booking form - click here

 

All 2023 Events Calendar

Download Events Document

 

We Need Your Help

Waulkmill Farm have applied to this funding pot to be

awarded the money to but the farm a minibus.

We hope to start a service collecting people who cannot

otherwise get to the farm for work experience, workshops, and therapy.

 

Vote For Us 'Click Here'

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Keep an eye on our Facebook page for up to date information on special events.

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Donations

Here at the petting farm we depend on funding as we are a not for profit organisation.

The animals we care for are always in need.

 

Help us raise £1000 on our Go Fund Me page...

Click here

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Waulkmill Menagerie Petting Farm - Hands On Animal Experience

• Not Just For Kids • Adopt An Animal • Group Bookings •

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Therapy Information

Animal Assisted Learning

 

Animal Assisted Learning Animal Assisted Learning (AAL) employs the presence of animals in a natural setting to support people with personal and professional development.

At Waulkmill all AAL sessions are facilitated by trained professionals, and are tailored to each individual client's specified needs to ensure individuals benefit from a positive learning experience.

Benefits of Animal Assisted Learning

AAL offers direct contact with animals in a natural setting to help individuals who are experiencing difficulties with a traditional educational environment. Those taking part benefit from a natural setting and with very friendly animals, also gives fun physical activities, gain work experience, improve stress levels, helps mental health and anxiety.

AAL can help personal and social development, increased self-esteem, better social skills and increase empathy and nurturing skills. At Waulkmill sessions are typically active and outside, meaning that physical activity and fresh air and the associated benefits of both are almost guaranteed.

Our Animals

Currently at Waulkmill, there are approximately 100 animals on site, including 1 horse, ponies, donkeys, goats, pigs, sheep, meerkats, ferrets, degus, chinchillas, 1 alpaca, 1 emu, 1 salcuta tortoise, rabbits, guinea pigs, giant African snails, rats, fancy mice, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.

During any particular AAL sessions, the opportunity to engage with a variety of animals will occur with the needs and preferences of the individual being taken into account.

AAL Sessions

AAL takes a holistic approach to learning and development through the variety of opportunities and activities that occur across the session.

Each session is designed to meet the specific needs of thos taking part, therefore no two sessions are identical although many of the same elements and activities may be present.

Some typical activities include: -

Grooming, taking a pony for a walk, cleaning stables. Riding is not offered as part of AAL at Waulkmill.

Grooming the goats, playing and general paddock cleaning. This helps individuals establish a friendship with the animals and develop communication skills such as giving voice commands, active listening, adapting communication style, confidence volume and clarity. Empathy, respect, responsiveness and body language also develop.

Handling, grooming and hutch cleaning the various small animals.

Sitting in a calm environment with the animals. Being around very friendly animals in a rural farm setting results in the stress being reduced, therapeutic and educational discussions taking place.

Engaging in animal care tasks around the farm. Active listening skills, taking instructions and staying task focused are key parts of animal care. Task completion benefits self-esteem and can alter individual self-perception.

Explore the woodland and lake area at the farm and make use of our play based learning activities.

While many sessions are on a one-one basis, some opt for a small group session to increase the opportunities for peer social interaction and team work, as well as scenarios where empathy, patience and sharing can be developed.

The number of sessions per individual are not limited and run on an open ended basis for as long as both the participant and Waulkmill feel they are benefiting from AAL.

Sessions are competitively priced and subsidised by other funding when available to ensure they are as affordable as possible. Session cost: 2hrs £20, 4hrs £35. Contact us for bespoke group session price.

Qualifications

Asdan in animal care - Our staff are happy to deliver the practical skills needed. All materials will need to be provided.

City & Guilds Diploma in Animal Care - This is 12 month online course from the College of Animal Welfare, again we are happy to mentor the individual through the course. More information about this course can be found on https://www.caw.ac.uk/course/level-2-diploma-in-animal-care-online-learning/

Referral Process

Schools, agencies or individuals who feel they may benefit from AAL should contact Waulkmill Menagerie by email as an initial enquiry with their contact information and requirements so that a member of our team can get back in touch to discuss the referral further. The email address for Waulkmill Menagerie is waulkmill.menagerie@yahoo.com

Introduction and familiarisation visits to Waulkmill can also be arranged either for the individual being referred, family members or staff.

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All About Waulkmill

We are a not for profit social enterprise that is run by volunteers. We have been recognised by Aberdeenshire council for our work placement programme.

During the week we have additional needs and people suffering from mental health issues etc that volunteer or come for therapy with their carer’s. As well as work experience they gain confidence, reduce stress, learn new skills and receive lots of animal therapy. We are always seeking volunteers as they are a huge part of our plans. If this is of interest to you then please contact us or get a form from reception.

Waulkmill Menagerie is not just for kids, all ages will love the experience with our very friendly hand reared animals, some of the animals were raised in the house, bottle fed and wore nappies. So if you have not played with a goat on a trampoline or petted an emu then Waulkmill Menagerie is the place to be.

 

How The Menagerie Was Started

The menagerie was started by a dream to move to the country and have two goats and a donkey! When owner, Nikki, recovered from a serious illness her family decided to make this happen. They said goodbye to village life and purchased an old farm house and a field. Very soon the field started to fill up with various animals many of which were hand reared.

 

Saturday and Sunday

Open 10am - Close 3pm

£6 each, under 2's free

 

• Access into goats paddock to play and get close.

• Wander around the farm at leisure. • Use of play area. • Picnic Area.

• Scavenger Hunt. • Word Searches. • Quiz's. • Colour-ins.

• Refreshments/Sales Tables. • Shelter and Toilets. • No booking required.

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ADOPTION

ADOPTION PACK

£25 PER ANNUM

Adopt your favourite animals for 1 year and receive an adoption certificate.

Emailed photos and updates with video content.

Your name will be displayed at the Menagerie.

1 Free entry pass for 1 person to visit the farm.(Sat/Sun Only)

weekdays

Weekdays are for private bookings only. Ideal for schools, groups or organisatios.

£7.50 per head.

Includes a bag of animal feed each, access into our goat paddock, a full days use of our picnic and play area from 10am - 3pm, scavenger hunt, word searches and small play area.

ASN VISITS

• Volunteering

• Group Visitsrangers v kilmarnock tv

 

• Pony Therapy Sessions

Must be booked in advance.

Minimum booking of £100

BIRTHDAY COMING UP?

If a member of your family has a birthday coming up then you are welcome to bring your group to the farm for a fun day. £6 per person.

Let us know the birthday persons name and age and if you require benches reserved for the group.

We promise to make a fuss of your group.

No hurry to leave.

GIFT VOUCHERS

Great gift idea! Simply purchase one of our Gift Vouchers to the value of your choice to give to that special someone.

Contact us with your requirement and we can email your voucher.

 

Donations & Monthly Donations

One-off or monthly donations are much appreciated.

We know it’s hard times for everyone but if you have a few spare £’s the animals would really appreciate it.

Be a friend of Waulkmill Menagerie by making a monthly donation of your choice by direct debit. As a friend of Waulkmill Menagerie you will be invited to every open day and special event that we have, so you will never miss any of the fun.

Contact us for our bank details.

• No booking required at weekends.

• Cash or card payment is accepted.

• Gift shop also sells hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice cream.

• Spend the day here, bring your own picnic and enjoy the play area.

• Children must be supervised by an appropriate adult at all times.

• Well behaved dogs are welcome but must remain on the lead. If your dog is unsettled, snaps or constantly barks at our animals, our reception staff are happy to doggy sit.

• Appropriate clothing and footwear advised.

• So far Waulkmill Menagerie consists of Ponies, Donkeys, Goats, Sheep, Dogs, Pigs, Ducks, Chickens, Turkeys, Emu's, Rabbits, Micro Pig, Alpaca’s, Meerkats, Sulcuta Tortoise, Ferrets and Guinea Pigs with many more animals in the pipe line.

• We sometimes have small furrys looking for rehoming.

• Free Scavenger Hunt, Word searches, Colour-in and Quiz’s available in our new indoor games rooms.

• Most animals have been hand reared, they are all very friendly, and they love cuddles.

Not just for kids! All ages will love this experience. So far Waulkmill Menagerie consists of Ponies, Donkeys, Goats, Sheep, Dogs, Pigs, Ducks, Chickens, Turkeys, Emu's, Rabbits, Micro Pig, Ferrets and Guinea Pigs with many more animals in the pipe line like Rhea and Wallabys.

Most animals have been hand reared, they are all very friendly, and they love cuddles.

So have you played on a trampoline with goats? Scratched a pig? Felt the different wool from different sheep breeds??