Moments that do you good: animal experiences for young and old

Whether it's alpaca trekking, donkey rides or feeding rabbits: Encounters with animals are little oases of joy. They bring us closer to nature, slow us down and create unforgettable moments - especially for families.

Anyone who has ever looked into the gentle eyes of a cow or heard the curious snorting of a horse knows that animals touch us in a special way. They calm us, amaze us and often make us laugh.

Closeness to nature and to yourself

Between stable, pasture and hiking trail, a world awaits us that lets us feel the rhythm of nature. Whether feeding the goats, grooming a pony or walking with a donkey, every encounter with an animal is a small piece of grounding. Did you know that contact with animals has been proven to reduce stress levels? Numerous studies show that just a few minutes with animals can measurably relax the body and mind and lead to a reduction in the stress hormone cortisol.

Experiences with meaning

For families, animal experiences are a gift: shared laughter, dirt on hands, shining eyes. While adults appreciate the calm and serenity of the animals, the kids experience real adventures, such as milking goats early in the morning, feeding donkeys, mucking out or bedding straw. At the same time, the children learn responsibility - and the whole family experiences "quality time" that lasts. Such moments are precious. They connect generations and create memories that nothing can replace.

Discover diversity - from the stable to the pasture

The beauty of animal experiences on the farm? Their diversity: from the tortoise to the turkey to the proud peacock, the animal kingdom on the farm is immeasurable.

- Cows: a symbol of calm and serenity
- Horses and ponies: partners at eye level
- Alpacas and llamas: gentle companions with character
- Donkeys: patient teachers of mindfulness
- Rabbits and chickens: perfect for children's first experiences.

Dogs and cats can also be found on almost every farm. From accompanied walks and trekking tours to feeding sessions and overnight stays close to the animals: there are countless opportunities to experience animals up close on the farm all year round.

A heart for animals: sponsorships

If you love animals, you can not only experience them, but also support them. Many farms offer sponsorships for their farm animals. Animal lovers symbolically take responsibility for "their" animal, be it a cow, an alpaca or a donkey. An animal sponsorship is more than just a donation: It creates a personal connection. It is a wonderful opportunity to bring a piece of country life into everyday life and do good at the same time - also as a unique gift for children.
Discover here where you can adopt an animal (download pdf file).

Where animal experiences come to life

Feel like it? Here you will find a selection of establishments that offer special animal experiences in Switzerland in addition to comfortable overnight stays - from alpaca yoga to western camps for teenagers:

• Eselhof Säge, Buchs (SH): Experiences with and around the long-eared animals from children's birthday parties to multi-day tours.
• Berglandhof, Ernen (VS): Mule treks and endangered animal species.
• Alpaka Appenzell, Schönengrund (AR): Alpaca breeding, farm tours, alpaca farm store.
• Tiererlebnishof Windegg, Urnäsch (AR): Alpaca trekking and yoga, children's birthday parties and more.
• Ueli's Stöckli, Meikirch (BE): Walks with alpacas and llamas as well as many large and small farm animals.
• Chasseral Outdoor, Le Ferrière (BE): mule trekking, Jura pleasure tours with covered wagons or sledges, dog breeding.
• Ferme du Bonheur, Porrentruy (JU): Around 100 animals from guinea fowl to goats, vacation camp for children aged 6 to 13.
• San Jon, Scuol (GR): Horse adventures from short rides to treks lasting several days, youth riding weeks and western courses.
• Archehof Rüegg, Ermenswil (SG): ProSpecieRara award-winning show farm with over 100 animals of endangered breeds.
• Stähli Ferme des Buffles, Travers (NE): Breeding of Asian water buffalo, guided tours of the farm, children's birthday parties.

Fancy more animal-friendly experiences? Discover more articles here:
Begegnung mit den Alpakas
Velotour im Reich der Pferde
Riding vacations on the farm

Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.