A special final project recently took place as part of an advanced course on family bereavement support at Lavia . A group of ten teenagers and young adults between the ages of 18 and 32 visited the Lebenshof Schokuhminza e.V. in Herne.

The aim of this excursion was to experience the grieving process in a new context - in direct contact with the rescued cows and the calming nature of the farm.

Animal Assisted Grief Work: An Alternative Method

The Lebenshof Schokuhminza e.V.[1] not only provides a safe haven for rescued cows, but also a special environment where mourners can find new ways to process their emotions. Through interaction with the animals and mindfulness in nature, participants were encouraged to focus on the moment and find inner peace. The encounters with the animals offered a gentle approach to emotionally dealing with one's own grieving process.

Long-term impact and reflection

In the debriefing sessions that followed the excursion, many participants reported the positive effects of the animal-assisted experience. They reflected that the visit to the Lebenshof helped them to deal with their grief more consciously and to integrate mindfulness and gratitude into their everyday lives. The peaceful and respectful atmosphere on the farm in particular helped to develop new perspectives on dealing with loss.

Conclusion

The trip to Lebenshof Schokuhminza e.V. was an enriching experience for the project participants and showed that grief work does not always have to take place in traditional settings. The animal-assisted method enabled the teenagers and young adults to process their grief in a gentle and mindful way that accompanies them sustainably in their everyday lives.