Farm Friends

Animal & Nature Program

The Farm Friends Animal & Nature Program offers a meaningful and therapeutic way for NDIS participants to connect with animals, nature, and themselves.

Designed for kind individuals who are committed to personal growth, this rewarding program offers a chance to find peace in nature and build lasting friendships with farm animals — all while supporting a wide range of developmental and emotional goals.

Young girl in a maroon sweater interacting with a sheep in a grassy field, both looking content and calm.

Life Skills with Heart

Fostering Growth through Nature & Animal Care

Participants are guided by their compassionate, one-to-one animal-loving support worker through hands-on, engaging farm activities such as feeding, grooming, walking, and creating enrichment for our friendly farm animals. These tasks promote routine, responsibility, and a deep sense of connection, helping individuals to build life skills and emotional resilience in a nurturing, sensory-rich environment.

Goal-Oriented, Strength-Based Support

Who is This For 

This program is best suited to participants who are physically capable, emotionally engaged, and genuinely passionate about working with animals. A consistent level of commitment is essential—not only to ensure participant progress and goal achievement, but also out of respect for the animals and the planning involved in delivering a harmonious farm experience. This program aligns with participants who are keen to get involved, learn new skills, get a little dirty, and most importantly, show kindness, compassion, and care to every animal they be-friend.

A woman giving a sheep medicine using a syringe. The woman wears a floral crown and there's a farm animals first aid kit nearby, decorated with flowers and a dragonfly.

Farm Friends Animal First-Aid & Medication Training

Participants have the option to partake in this training in which they gain valuable skills in animal care through hands-on first aid and medication training, focused on the specific needs of the Farm Friends Animals they’ll be working with. They learn how to recognise and respond to common health concerns, such as bloat in sheep and goats, how to identify signs of poison, and how to monitor animals for distress or injury.

This training not only builds practical knowledge and confidence, but also strengthens the bond and trust between humans and animals—fostering a deeper sense of responsibility, connection, and care.

Illustration of a man in overalls smiling with a horse and donkey, set in a rural landscape with a barn, trees, and a sun in the background. In the foreground, there are red mushrooms with white spots and a butterfly.

Empowering Individuals Through Meaningful Farm Experiences

Designed for kind individuals who are committed, engaged, and ready to grow, this nature-based experience supports a wide range of developmental and emotional goals in a peaceful farm setting. This program is a lot of fun too! Every session brings joy, laughter, and light-hearted moments. From the quirky personalities of the animals to the satisfaction of completing hands-on tasks, participants often leave feeling uplifted, calm, and proud of what they’ve achieved.

For participants interested in future volunteering or work in animal care, this program also offers valuable practical experience that can support employment pathways. 

Key pillars for growth & skill development

  • Calm, consistent time with animals and in nature fosters empathy, reduces anxiety, and promotes mindfulness. The peaceful farm environment helps participants feel grounded, present, and emotionally regulated.

  • Learning to care for animals and understand their individual needs teaches patience, accountability, and respect for boundaries. These lessons also encourage consistency and commitment—valuable life skills that transfer to everyday relationships.

  • Gaining an animal’s trust builds self-esteem and a sense of achievement. Participants also develop social awareness, empathy, and non-verbal communication skills that improve their interactions with others.

  • The program emphasises mutual respect—animals are never forced to interact, creating genuine, choice-based connections. This approach models healthy human relationships, where trust and understanding take time to grow.

  • Being outdoors and active on the farm supports physical health through natural movement, strength-building, and coordination. The connection to the land and seasons also deepens participants’ appreciation for the environment and encourages a healthy, active lifestyle.

A person in a purple shirt, denim skirt, and boots holding a rope lead with a small horse in a grassy area.

Is the Farm Friends Animal & Nature Program Right for You?

To ensure the utmost safety and well-being of both participants and animals, the following qualities help determine if this program is a good fit:

  • Physical ability and balance to safely navigate uneven ground and sloped areas on the property

  • A calm, gentle, and respectful approach when interacting with animals

  • Willingness and capability to take part in light farm-based tasks (e.g. feeding, grooming, walking animals)

  • Comfort being outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and natural environments

  • A genuine commitment to attending and participating in the program consistently

Please note: This program is designed for participants aged 18 and over.

A person sitting on the ground surrounded by sheep in a wooded area.

Benefits for NDIS participants include:

• Emotional regulation, self-soothing, and sensory connection through therapeutic animal and nature experiences

• Increased confidence, independence, and self-worth

• Opportunities for mindfulness, empathy, and connection—with animals, nature, and others

• Development of daily living and work-ready skills, including routine, task planning, and personal responsibility

• Improved social and communication skills through positive, respectful interactions

• Real-world experience that can support future volunteering or employment pathways