Bella, a border collie cross, has become a beacon of hope for teenagers struggling with various challenges at Hill House Farm in Box, near Bath. Over the past six years, she has positively impacted the lives of approximately 3,000 teens, providing companionship and comfort in a therapeutic setting. Bella began her journey as a therapy dog when she was just 12 weeks old and has since devoted her time to helping young people navigate their difficulties.
Hill House Farm, operated by the charity Jamie's Farm, offers five-day stays for teens to help them cope with school-related struggles. Bella plays an integral role in this initiative, where her playful yet intuitive nature shines. She spends most of her time with the young visitors, forming strong connections that often lead to remarkable transformations.
Julie Tonks, the farm's therapeutic lead and Bella's owner, notes the unique bond Bella forms with each young person. "She's quite playful, but she's also quite intuitive as well," Ms. Tonks explains. This intuition allows Bella to recognize when a teenager is feeling unwell or sad, making her presence even more comforting.
Amani Salim, an 18-year-old from west London, shared her experience with Bella during her stay at the farm. Before meeting Bella, Amani struggled to engage with her school environment. Her breakthrough came when Bella approached her under the table, gently rubbing her head against Amani's legs and offering a paw.
"I didn't talk until Bella came up to me under the table and just started rubbing her head on my legs and putting her paw up on my legs," Amani recalls.
Through this simple act of kindness, Amani felt compelled to connect. "I really love dogs so I just started stroking her head and playing with her under the table, and that helped me to talk and come out of my shell a bit," she added.
Bella's companionship skills are most visible during these therapeutic interactions. Julie Tonks describes how Bella instinctively knows how to comfort a young person in distress. "She'll just go and put herself next to that young person, and it might just be a paw on a leg or putting her head on their lap," Tonks explains.
