BUMBLE and Badger the dogs, along with a host of farmyard friends, offer a furry alternative to traditional therapy.

Based at Dedham Community Farm, the canine pals are joined by Frankie the sociable five-month-old sheep, goats, pigs, ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs and some newly hatched chicks.

But more than a petting zoo, the farm welcomes in people with a host of conditions, from depression to severe disabilities, ex-offenders, children with behavioural difficulties and more, with the aim of using animals, nature and some old-fashioned graft as a form of treatment.

It is an extension of Nurture Dogs, a business run by David and Gill De’ath, which visits schools, care homes and generally uses the social appeal of dogs as an occupational therapy tool.

“I think it’s the unconditional acceptance you get from an animal,” David said.

“We believe when you care for something, when you need to take on a caring role, you get a lot of value from that.”