CHARITY PROFILE: NUZZLETS, HEALING AND HOPE
- The Takes
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 28
Our writer, Misake, takes you inside the heartwarming world of Nuzzlets, a Yorkshire-based animal sanctuary changing lives through animal-assisted therapy.
Founded in 2004, Nuzzlets Charity provides a safe haven for rescued animals while offering life-changing therapeutic experiences for children and adults facing emotional, physical, and developmental challenges.
From autistic children forming unexpected bonds with farm animals to the generous support of Joules, Misake explores how Nuzzlets is making a profound impact in the community.
Whether through volunteering, donations, or simply spreading awareness, this article reveals how you can be part of this inspiring mission—one paw at a time.
By Misake Sherpa.
Imagine. The warmness of a child's smile makes them feel understood and supported... a fuzzy feeling... simply by spending time with an animal who was once unwanted but now thrives in a new loving home with plentiful love from visitors and volunteers. Nuzzlets makes this dream a reality.
What is Nuzzlets?
Established in 2004, Nuzzlets is a nonprofit local charity based in Great Ouseburn, Yorkshire. An animal sanctuary that makes such an incredible difference to children and adults who face emotional, physical, mental, and developmental challenges through animal-assisted therapy. The charity works with children who suffer life-threatening and mental illnesses as well as people with disabilities and special needs. It also allows any visitor to come to connect with the animals. Their aim is to provide animals a safe and nurturing environment while creating free access to education and therapy for young people.
Supporter Spotlight: How Does Joules Support Nuzzlets?
Joules (The British clothing company) has been a valued partner providing financial support, volunteer assistance, and donations such as uniforms and wellies for our visitors.
Their ongoing commitment has played a crucial role in our success, focusing on animal welfare education and tailored therapy visits. We've supported over 1,700 people through 200 visits in the past year. Joules and Nuzzlet's bond is so strong that they had a photoshoot with Nuzzlets' Guinea pigs in London! How fuzzy!
Volunteer Spotlight
K Flaherty, a volunteer at Nuzzlets, expresses her gratitude for what the local charity does as a nonprofit organisation. A highlight for her was seeing how it helped a "12-year-old boy who experiences daily challenges in communication due to autism and had a hard time connecting with humans. When he first entered Nuzzlets he felt overstimulated, yelling and kicking his feet. Then, as he ventured out into the farm he met a turkey which calmed the boy with its giggly gobbles. For the rest of the visit, he interacted with the turkey; smiling as the turkey waddles. Seeing their son so calm and engaged brought tears to his parents eyes, overwhelmed with gratitude and joy."
How you can help
By working as a community, we can support Nuzzlets and their incredible work in several ways.
Volunteering: Whether you are a student or an adult willingly ready to give time to care for the animals or aid some of the therapeutic sessions, your presence makes an impact. Not only to the animals and visitors but to yourself. Nuzzlets provides references and testimonials for volunteers that help with future employment and educational opportunities (extremely helpful for those who want to build their CV!). Moreover, volunteering in a friendly and welcoming environment connected to nature improves your own wellbeing drastically. Sue, who was a volunteer, states that volunteering in Nuzzlets makes her feel "positive and happy."
Donating: Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated and go a long way in supporting the charity's goal. Donate here on their Just Giving page.
Spreading awareness: Share this story and motive of Nuzzlets with your friends and family to help raise awareness!
Your actions will help continue these impactful programs by offering children and adults the chance to interact with animals in a therapeutic way, building empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding for animals and awareness for the neurodivergent and disability community, one paw at a time.
By Misake Sherpa.
