Alarm about the Alte Mühle Bruck: Therapy offer for children in danger!

Alarm about the Alte Mühle Bruck: Therapy offer for children in danger!

What's going on in beautiful Bruck? A hot topic is keeping citizens on tenterhooks because the future of the Old Mill is in the balance. The facility, which specializes in curative education and animal-assisted therapies, urgently needs support. The ÖDP city council group is now calling on Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) to get involved in preserving this valuable institution. Loud South German newspaper The facility could be closed in the middle of the year as the operating license expires at the end of 2025 and there are no new premises in sight.

The Old Mill is not only a place for therapy, but also a meeting place for people and animals. Senior boss Regina Peter has put a lot of passion into building her farm, but the farm's existence is under acute threat. The stables and riding areas are located in a flood zone, which endangers their continued existence reports Mercury. Together with 28 horses and other animals such as pigs, sheep and dogs, the Old Mill offers a unique environment for children and young people who find their way to this farm through various institutions such as the Diakonie and the youth welfare office.

Therapy with animals

Retired horses and children with special needs come together here and benefit from the wide range of therapy options. Regina Peter proudly describes the farm as a “living farm”, which represents an oasis of development not only for the animals, but especially for the children. The special education methods used here aim to strengthen children's ego skills, social skills and subject matter skills says the curative education information.

Particularly worth mentioning are the animal-assisted elements that help the children to better cope with their personal challenges. A person-centered approach is pursued that responds individually to the needs of the children. Methods such as play therapy and development support are used to teach young clients new skills in a playful way.

What's next?

What will happen next is uncertain. The city and district urgently need to find a solution that will ensure the continued existence of the Old Mill. The ÖDP proposes several measures, including support for a round table and official help to the relevant authorities. Regina Peter and her team hope that political mediation will be successful so that the valuable work is not lost.

A farm festival on September 15th will invite citizens to visit the Old Mill and find out about what it has to offer. Farm tours, art activities and the opportunity to experience the animals are intended to send a message that this facility is indispensable for the region.

Let's hope that the ÖDP's appeal is heard and that the Old Mill in Bruck can continue to be a place of encounter and healing!