“You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed.”, the fox told the Little Prince after they became friends. Then the Little Prince understood that “to tame” is to create ties. To need each other. To be unique for one another.
Assisted Animal Therapy (AAT)
We, humans, have related to animals in various ways since the beginning of time. Animals have been crucial for our survival from helping us to farm, protecting us from danger to transporting us to places.
Nowadays, animals can assist us to better our physical, emotional, and mental health. Assisted Animal Therapy (AAT) can help individuals with the physical rehabilitation of motor skills. They can also be trained to help people with mental illness. While some others are used to bring emotional comfort to places like hospitals and nursing homes.
Benefits of AAT in Children with Special Needs
Probably you can remember a trip to a farm and be fascinated with all the animals as a kid. Most kids are drawn with curiosity to these cute, funny-looking creatures. Sure you had seen many pictures of babies sleeping with their furry companions like, well, “babies”. Added to the cuteness factor, animals can therapeutically help children. Especially children with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities.
Assisted Animal Therapy has proven beneficial with children experiencing cerebral palsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, muscular dystrophy, traumatic brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual or developmental disabilities.
In these cases, children develop a therapeutic bond with the animals that give them support and strength. (1)
Special Needs Farm
In 2014 the Wallace-Griner family created Safe in Austin. A special needs farm dedicated to rescuing animals that have been rejected, abused, or neglected.
Located in Leander, a suburb just north of Austin, they care for more than 150 animals today. Cows, chickens, pigs, dogs, horses, rabbits, goats, turkeys, turtles and one parrot have names. Well, some are difficult to tell apart, so they end up with eight chickens called Ashley.
Back in 2012, when one of the three Wallace-Griner kids, Jackson, was having a difficult time coping with his autistic condition. Then, Jackson’s parents brought home “Angel”, a six-year-old Grand Pyrenees therapy dog. The family was amazed by the immediate positive impact that Angel had in Jackson’s life. He became more independent and at ease.
These incentivize David Griner and his wife Jamie to purchase a 10-acre farm in 2014 and start the special needs farm. (2)
Tender Testimonials
In the beginning, the Wallace-Griner animal sanctuary will be mostly visited by friends of friends. Soon enough they grew and decided to open the special needs farm for everyone to come and visit. Especially children that were experiencing difficulties transitioning or adapting to new situations.
The case of a couple of siblings that were recently adopted after spending six years in foster care. They found it hard to fit in in their new environment. One of them said “ In my school, like I am the only kid that is adopted in my class, so no one really gets how I feel. But when I come here, Pebo (the parrot) knows what I am feeling. And, I get him and he gets me” (3)
While I do not doubt the beneficial impact of all animals in our lives. I am more than amazed by the phenomenal labor from the special needs farm, Safe in Austin. They bring so much joy and support to all children and adults. Great job!
