THE ANIMAL kingdom will be out in force in Johnstonebridge next Saturday for the Crazy Critters Experience fun day.
Owned and operated by Luke Mitchell, the animal experience service has become well-known in Upper Annandale, regularly making appearances at community events including gala days and Moffat’s Picnic in the Park.
Luke has expanded his business to include an animal therapy service for young people and adults with additional needs, and is now looking to create a permanent base for the service to operate out of.
The fun day will raise much needed funds to help it happen.
Luke said: “We began working on plans to reach a much larger group of people in the additional needs community, searching for a base and gaining clients through the local authority. This has given me all the passion and purpose I have ever dreamt of in life.
“With the support from Lord Annandale, Lord David and the whole of Annandale Estates, we have secured a premises to run our workshops in a larger setting, delivering our services to more and more.
“We are holding a fun day to raise some funds to support this great cause and raise funds for renovations on October 14 from 11 am with bouncy castles, buck and bronco, vintage tractors, highland cows and all the animals, stalls selling goods and crafts and much more! It is going to be great.”
Explaining how the animal experience helps clients of all ages, Luke said: “Simple animal touch releases brain chemicals that can instill bonding, reward and happiness.
“We designed programmes to achieve great things, which we in the end used with other young people to overcome fears of dentists, behavioural breakdowns and dietary improvements.
“For most this won’t seem much, however for an autistic child to achieve these things from animal touch in the matter of weeks is absolutely astonishing.”
For more information about the Crazy Critters Experience fun day visit their Facebook page.
