Enriching the lives of children and young adults with unique needs through animal-assisted care farming
From the outside, Fiddlehead Care Farm may look like a traditional working farm. But we’re far from ordinary. We're a small farm with big offerings—and a whole lot of heart.
Nestled on 50 acres of beautiful organic land in Dufferin County, Fiddlehead Care Farm invites you on a journey of healing, self-discovery and transformation through animal-assisted care farming.
What We Do
Fiddlehead Care Farm offers clinical and therapeutic services and programs for children, teens and young adults with unique needs in a safe, inclusive space.
We help people who are coping with anxiety and depression, social difficulties, emotional problems, grief, trauma and negative self-esteem. We support those with autism, ADHD and developmental disabilities. We are proud to support transgender, gender-expansive and non-binary children and youth in our community.
We also host diverse community programs and fun events throughout the year — a little something for everyone: families, schools, community and special interest groups.
Your Experience
Many of our clients and visitors describe our nature-based experiences as unforgettable, positive and life changing. That makes our hearts happy because each experience is thoughtfully created and presented in a quiet, natural setting for you to explore and thrive.
Working with our friendly and supportive social worker and certified child life specialist—along with the comfort of our animals—you’ll build greater resilience, confidence and independence. You’ll also learn how to relate better to others and to cope with whatever life challenges are thrown your way.
Our land, trails and gardens are a base from which to promote health and wellness. As part of reaching your therapy goals, you have the opportunity to engage in farming or horticulture activities—agricultural work, tending to animals, garden work, and more. It’s an ideal way for you to reconnect to the earth, animals, nature and yourself.
A doctor’s referral or formal diagnosis isn’t needed to access our services.
Please contact us for more information and to learn how we may be able to help your family.
Mental Health & The Pandemic
We recognize the impact COVID-19 is having on mental health and people’s lives. Many of you are facing challenges that are overwhelming, stressful and can trigger strong emotions in both children and adults.
Since the pandemic started, Fiddlehead Care Farm has been a lifeline for many of our clients and visitors. Spending time outside in wide-open spaces and visiting with farm animals can have a transformational effect on your mental wellbeing. We’ve seen it reduce stress, anxiety and loneliness.
If your child is struggling, please reach out to us to see how we can help .
Counselling Services
Individual Counselling
Working in partnership with the client and their family, our certified therapy team will create an individualized treatment plan that focuses on coping strategies to deal with some of life’s challenges and incorporates nature and animals.
Family Counselling
For families who wish to engage in a joint positive experience. We offer goal-directed collaborative sessions at the farm to support and strengthen the family unit. Sibling support sessions are available to those with a brother/sister with special needs.
Individual Life Skills
These structured and individual sessions will give participants the opportunity to focus on strengthening their life skills, independence, and physical and mental health through animal- and farm-based tasks and embracing nature and the great outdoors.
Community Programs
Co-Care Farmers/Jr. Program
Vocational programs for young adults (Co-Care Farmers), children and teens (Co-Care Farmers Jr.) with developmental, physical, sensory or mental health needs who have an interest in being part of a farm operation. Learn hard/soft skills while working the farm.
Little Care Farmers Group
Interactive therapeutic activities in the great outdoors, targeted specifically to infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children and their caregivers. This evidence-based, nature and farm program is necessary for early childhood development.
Therapeutic Groups
Working with our certified therapy team, group participants meet to address a common set of goals. A great support network and opportunity to inspire ideas for improving a life challenge or a difficult situation that participants are experiencing.
Community/School Group Visits
Community and school groups can tour the farm and enjoy the healing and calming power of the land, animals, forest trails and gardens. Great for people of all ages and abilities! Tours are facilitated by farm staff and tailored to the needs and interests of your group.
Summer Special Interest Groups
Boost learning and fun with our special interest events throughout the summer. Our experiences are for small groups and take place on the farm. Events may include photography, dance, nature art, forest survival and sibling support.
Virtual Field Trip
Let us bring Fiddlehead Care Farm to you! Our live virtual farm tours highlight what life is like on the farm, such as tending to the animals and gardens. Get up close and personal with our mini pig, chickens, cats, a giant bunny and goats.
Summer Camp
Summer Day Camp
Kids with exceptional needs can find a unique opportunity for learning at Fiddlehead Care Farm’s summer day camp. Their physical, emotional and behavioural needs are supported, while playing in nature offers unique challenges that help them grow. For campers, ages 6 and up, and their siblings. Supervised by our experienced clinical team.
The Founders
Hi, friends! We’re Stephanie and Breanne, the founders at Fiddlehead Care Farm. Our journey started in 2014 with just an idea: How do we bring our professional clinical experience to nature and combine that with our love for animals? That’s when we discovered the positive impact of care farms.
While our setting is anything but conventional, our programs and services are grounded in evidence and expertise. Our hope is that each person who steps foot on our farm will feel welcomed and comforted by our passion to support them, and will learn how to “grow from within” to become the best version of themselves.
Our Care Farm
Let our 50 acres draw you into a peaceful world of nature, farm heritage and wellness.
Fiddlehead Care Farm is nestled in the rolling country side of Dufferin County just 15 minutes north of Orangeville (45 minutes north of the GTA/70 km north of Hwy 401).
Your wellness journey is cradled in the serene beauty of rolling pastures, colourful sensory gardens, peaceful woodland trails and friendly farm animals. Release your stress and breathe in the calming energy of the farm. You are welcomed here.
We thank the following organizations who have supported Fiddlehead Care Farm
