How animals and nature help to foster love and share hope

Written by Stephanie Kemp for The Bendigo Advertiser NDIS Bendigo 2021 Magazine

It was after her own struggle with finding the right therapeutic interventions for her own son with a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome and watching his life transform with the help of a little puppy and a cow that qualified social worker, Kristy Kemp decided to make her dream a reality and create a one-of-a-kind service in central Victoria for more people to reap the benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Based on a farm 15 minutes from the centre of Bendigo, Flash Farm utilises animal-assisted psychotherapy, horticultural therapy, and nature-based play therapy practices to change the lives of those living with disabilities, mental illness and autism spectrum disorder.  

Flash Farm currently provides services to a range of clients through individual sessions and a youth life and social skills program. Individual sessions are based around the individuals’ goals and the group programs are tailored to needs of the participants and offer them a hands-on, experiential learning environment to develop their functional life skills such as cooking and hygiene as well as their social, emotional and communication skills. Flash Farm utilises a range of Animal-Assisted Therapy and nature-based treatment interventions to promote physical and mental health and well-being. Flash Farm provides participants with a nurturing community for people from all walks of life to learn about themselves and their capabilities.

Since opening over 3 years ago Flash Farm has supported a range of participants in transforming their lives and achieving their goals. Life and Social skills group participant, Charlotte said it was a life changing experience filled with emotion and challenges, but she has learnt new skills, gained confidence, and made friends she still has now. 

 “Since having my Flash Farm experience I’ve changed a lot but often still find myself in situations where I think back to my time there and what I learnt and apply it to life situations and school” she said. “My mum also feels it was really beneficial and could see the progress I was making.” 

“The animals are very attuned to how the participants are feeling. The connection with animals and nature have a magical way of bringing people to the present and can provide some really powerful moments that provoke change for people.” Kristy said. "I enjoy seeing the improvements in people’s lives after coming to the farm. I can't change the world for everyone, but if it changes one person's world, it was all worth it."

Discover more about how Flash Farm can support you to achieve your goals by heading to www.flashfarm.org