Cindy and Cristabelle are goats—but they’re not just any goats. These two little critters live at the Lil’ Steps Wellness Farm in St. Malo, Manitoba and recently made their debut in a children’s book called Cindy and Cristabelle’s Big Scare.
Author Lucy Sloan introduced the loveable goats and their farmyard friend Wilbert the pig in this story, the first of a series, to help children who struggle with anxiety. Sloan is also a registered professional counsellor, animal-assisted therapy professional, and owner of Lil’ Steps Wellness Farm.
Just like Sloan, the gentle animals on her wellness farm enjoy their work as therapists to children and teens alike.
“They… do a wonderful job,” says Sloan. “Cindy and Cristabelle are miniature fainting goats that help children identify what anxiety feels like in the body. Cindy tends to [flee] when she feels anxious while Cristabelle freezes when she feels scared. Wilbert… is the happy and content pig on the farm that spends a lot of time just being in the moment, eating and playing in the mud. He is the friend to the goats that, in the book, helps them along and teaches them how to enjoy life.”
Sloan has been practicing animal-assisted therapy on her farm in St. Malo with much success since 2015. Along with the book, she also provides an activity booklet and toolkit which introduce fun and interactive ways for parents and caregivers to understand their child’s situation and help them cope.
“We want children to know that anxiety is normal and okay. However, when it becomes a problem for them it can be addressed and managed,” Sloan says. “A real key in addressing the issue of anxiety is understanding it first. Anxiety is one of the most treatable mental health difficulties. Providing education and understanding of symptoms, what happens in the body and brain when experiencing anxiety, and how to manage worry and fear is so important. I hear a lot of parents telling me that they wish they had this book when they were children.”
Storytelling has become a useful and effective tool for Sloan in her work with children and teens. And animals, she says, are non-judging, accepting, and easy for children to connect with.
“The basis of animal-assisted therapy is that it is a back-door approach… in that children can connect to the emotions and stories of the animals and thus be able to discuss and process their own stories and struggles,” says Sloan. “My practice is ‘attachment basis,’ where the focus is on building relationships with and attachment to animals. This helps children meet core attachment needs and develop a healthy mental well-being. To be able to have it in a storybook format is a wonderful thing so we can reach more children.”
Sloan recalls one young child who came to her with symptoms of anxiety and a lack of self-confidence. It was affecting her school and social life in a negative way. At Lil’ Steps Wellness Farm, the child found Fleur, a 1,200-pound quarter horse. The pair quickly bonded.
“I remember her face when she was able to walk this horse,” Sloan recalls. “She glowed and walked with her shoulders up, a huge smile and a newfound sense of confidence. It is a wonderful process to see and be part of.”
Sloan discovered animal-assisted therapy about seven years ago after suffering a major head injury that left her unable to work for two years. During this time, she felt stripped of her identity and began to suffer the debilitating effects anxiety can have on the mind and body.
“Through my healing process, I purchased two miniature horses, Peanut and Sweety. I spent a lot of time with them, just being and learning how to let go of control and be in the moment.” This, she says, led her to introduce farm animals to her counselling toolkit. “We are able to help a lot of children and teens in their mental health journeys. It is the best job in the world!”
Sloan’s official book launch took place on October 19. The farm filled up with children and parents wanting to meet the star animals and get a signed copy of the book.
In the aftermath, Sloan is already working on the next entry in the Lil’ Steps series.
“I have a few other scripts done and in the making and I’m hoping that this series will be a success,” Sloan says. “There are many animals on the farm that have a lot of different stories to share.”
