Why Horses & Sheep — The Science and Story Behind Rooted & Rising
Animal Presence as a Path to Healing
At Rooted & Rising, we work alongside animals—not as tools or techniques, but as calm co-facilitators in the process of healing. This is not about riding or petting. It’s about presence. Reflection. And the powerful role animals play in restoring a sense of connection to self, land, and life.
This approach isn’t just intuitive. It’s backed by evidence, story, and international recognition.
UK-BASED THERAPY WITH SHEEP AND HORSES
The Telegraph | Herdwick Sheep & Stress Relief
In the Lake District, Herdwick sheep are part of emerging wellness retreats where participants engage in quiet, ground-based interaction for stress reduction. Featured in The Telegraph, these experiences were shown to calm the nervous system through presence, rhythm, and sensory connection.
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Relieve stress with some sheep hugging at this Lake District farm | Great British Life
Financial Times | Ground-Based Equine Therapy for Burnout & Grief
“We would never have got there in a couple of sessions in a room. But we got there in seven minutes with a horse.”
— Financial Times
Healing happens faster when we feel safe.
That’s what horses offer.
Their presence helps us access emotions the mind alone can’t reach.
It’s why Rooted & Rising™ blends science, somatic work, and nature —
to help you reconnect, rebuild, and rise.
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BBC | Merlin the Therapy Sheep & End-of-Life Support
Grace Olson’s sheep-assisted work in Leeds was featured on Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet and BBC outlets. Patients with terminal diagnoses described feeling joy and calm when spending time with Merlin, her Valais sheep. Olson explained: “These animals offer companionship without expectation. They bring peace in a way words can’t.”
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Why It Belongs on Your Path
This isn’t about novelty. It’s about neuroscience.
Horses and sheep reflect us, regulate us, and offer safety without words.
They support recovery from:
Burnout & nervous system overload
Identity shifts & reinvention
Grief, loss & emotional exhaustion
And they do it quietly, without expectation.
"They aren’t here to fix you. They’re here to stand with you while you
remember who you are."
Want to experience it for yourself? Book a 3 hour immersion Session or Explore Our Programs
At Rooted & Rising, we work alongside animals—not as tools or techniques, but as calm co-facilitators in the process of healing. This is not about riding or petting. It’s about presence. Reflection. And the powerful role animals play in restoring a sense of connection to self, land, and life.
This approach isn’t just intuitive. It’s backed by evidence, story, and international recognition.
