Contact me on 0412 390 320
Madeleine Flynn Occupational Therapist APHRA: OCC0001745796
Email me at madeleineflynn.ot@gmail.com
About animal-assisted therapy
What is it?
How does it work?
How does it work?
Animal-assisted therapy uses the human-animal bond in goal-oriented interventions as an important part of the treatment process. Goals are set for each client, the interaction between animal and client is guided and the progress towards goals measured and evaluated. Goals may include-
1. Decreasing anxiety
2. Increasing confidence - both pe
Animal-assisted therapy uses the human-animal bond in goal-oriented interventions as an important part of the treatment process. Goals are set for each client, the interaction between animal and client is guided and the progress towards goals measured and evaluated. Goals may include-
1. Decreasing anxiety
2. Increasing confidence - both personally and socially.
3. Improving communication - expressing feelings, talking to others, working in a team.
4. Developing strategies to manage emotions eg anxiety/anger in other settings.
5. Improving task completion, sequencing, fine motor skills etc.
6. Identifying sensory issues and developing strategies to manage these issues.
How does it work?
How does it work?
How does it work?
More and more research is showing the benefits of AAT – the following is a small example:
AAT has been shown to be helpful with children with autism - AAT with children with autism displayed fewer autistic behaviours (e.g. spinning objects, humming/clicking, hand posturing) and more socially appropriate and engaging behaviour
(Redefer and
More and more research is showing the benefits of AAT – the following is a small example:
AAT has been shown to be helpful with children with autism - AAT with children with autism displayed fewer autistic behaviours (e.g. spinning objects, humming/clicking, hand posturing) and more socially appropriate and engaging behaviour
(Redefer and Goodman (1989)
"Patting an animal can have a calming and soothing effect. A study of Animal therapy in a paediatric hospital show that the animal therapy significantly improved the mood of children."
(Kaminski et al, 2002)
Why does it work?
How does it work?
Why does it work?
People who enjoy being with animals will often easily form a relationship with an animal, developing empathy and a rapport with the animal. This tendency to bond with an animal is the basis of Animal-assisted Therapy. Animals are very sensitive to human behaviour and often respond to subtle changes in a person’s behaviour or mood – this p
People who enjoy being with animals will often easily form a relationship with an animal, developing empathy and a rapport with the animal. This tendency to bond with an animal is the basis of Animal-assisted Therapy. Animals are very sensitive to human behaviour and often respond to subtle changes in a person’s behaviour or mood – this provides immediate and obvious feedback to the person to help look at and modify their own behaviour to achieve both their goals with the animal (eg to pat them), and their own goals (eg being able to stand still.)
Types of sessions
Individual sessions
One-on-one sessions of animal-assisted therapy to help you meet your goals - working in this way can be a less confronting and more fun way to work on your challenges. NDIS and Medicare rebates apply.
Small group sessions
Work in a small group session of animal-assisted therapy to help practice communication skills, team work and improving empathy and social connection.
MEET THE ANIMALS
Jack the Donkey
Jasper the Donkey
Smokey the Llama
Jack is my lovely donkey who had some rough times and been rehomed a bit and settled very happily here. He likes to take his time to get to know new people but has really gained in confidence since he came here a couple of years ago. Once he knows you he is just devoted and loves nothing more than quality time with his friends, and a bit of an ear rub as we can see in this photo! He also loves his food!
Smokey the Llama
Jasper the Donkey
Smokey the Llama
Smokey has come to us from a "Llama walking" farm - he is a gentle fellow who loves being hand fed his pellets and hanging out with his young mate Zac. He has a beautiful thick coat and enjoys a pat. He is teaching Zac the ways of the farm and to join him on llama walks! Here he is about to go for a walk with a friend!
Jasper the Donkey
Jasper the Donkey
Jasper the Donkey
Jasper is our new cheeky young miniature donkey who loves hanging out with his bestie Jack, who is teaching him the joys of getting to know all our visitors and the way of the farm - so he will be able to join Jack on walks out and about with us soon!
Zac the Llama
Cuzco the Alpaca
Jasper the Donkey
Zac is a shy but curious lad who likes to be hand fed his favorite pellets and gently sniff your hair! He is gradually gaining his confidence after joining us here last year and can now go on llama walks with us!
Cuzco the Alpaca
Cuzco the Alpaca
Cuzco the Alpaca
Cuzco is Manco's young mate, and is a beautiful and gentle but very nervous fellow who is learning to "calm his farm" by hanging out with Manco and spending time with us. We all feel a bit nervous sometimes so we can all practice our calming skills together!
Phillippe
Cuzco the Alpaca
Cuzco the Alpaca
Phillippe is one of my “foster fails”! After keeping 2 of the 4 puppies, I was fostering I had to give up being a foster Mum, but I have no regrets! Phillippe is a gentle giant - he likes learning new tricks and going for sniffy walks. He needs you to help him to be calm when life gets very exciting or scary, after his tricky start to life.
Bo Peep the Goat
George and Buckwheat
Bo Peep the Goat
Bo Peep is a complete rascal and just wants to hang out with me and her llama/alpaca/goat friends - and is just not so sure about everyone else! something we can all relate to sometimes! With her friend Charlie, she gets up to all sorts of antics - escaping from every fence we build - no matter how high - just so she can visit any friends she wishes! And of course plenty of butting and log play with Charlie that makes us all laugh! Goats remind us that we can all be rascals sometimes! and the sheer joy of life!
Charlie the Goat
George and Buckwheat
Bo Peep the Goat
This is Charlie when I first carried him home in the car a couple of years ago! Charlie is quite reserved except to fight with his friends over food which he believes he deserves far more than them! Charlie was hand raised but then grew too much for the family and was rehomed. With his friend Bo Peep, he gets up to all sorts of antics with of course, plenty of butting and log play that makes us all laugh! Goats remind us that we can all be rascals sometimes! and how to just enjoy life! They are also very sensitive and observant beings.
George and Buckwheat
George and Buckwheat
George and Buckwheat
My two lads, George and Buckwheat, have been hand raised so don't mind being picked up by me for a cuddle now and then. Their lady friends are Jemima and Mrs Waddles. They just make us all laugh with their funny chats and waddles! And they love nothing more than fresh water in their baths so they can have a good splash and even better, peas in their water to fish for! which all makes lovely sounds and fun for us to enjoy with them!
Chickens
Chickens
George and Buckwheat
I have rehomed chickens of all sorts over the years as well as collecting some beautiful Heritage breeds (Commercial breeds have been bred for increased egg production at the cost of their own health). All get to live their best life here just being chickens and doing what chickens love best – cruising around with their best friends, looking for insects and dustbathing!
Chickens are great fun to feed and to watch - there is always interesting stuff going on in their world and often reminds us of our own experiences - many kids say it is just like watching the school playground! In this photo is my very old white silkie, Petunia, Pepper, one of my lovely roosters, and the speckled girls who have been named "the Chanel girls" by one of my little visitors! Then the lovely big fluffy ladies are Priscilla at the front, and Beatrice at the back!