Gadara Farm

26/05/2026

The value of chickens go way beyond eggs. Love this post.

Some programs are created from professional knowledge. Others are created from lived experience, deep observation, compassion, and authentic connection. Chickens to Love is one of those rare programs that brings all of these elements together beautifully.

Summer Farrelly has created something truly meaningful. Through their relationship with chickens, Summer recognised the importance of trust, consent, predictability, communication, and nervous system safety — not only for animals, but for humans as well. What emerged from these insights is an innovative Animal Assisted Learning program that honours both neurodivergent experiences and animal wellbeing with remarkable depth and care.

As Founder of Animal Therapies Ltd, I have seen firsthand the growing recognition of animal-assisted services across education, disability support, mental health, and community wellbeing settings. What makes Chickens to Love particularly significant is its strong neurodiversity-affirming approach and its commitment to relational safety, autonomy, and authentic connection.

This program does not ask participants to mask who they are or conform to socially expected ways of communicating. Instead, it creates opportunities for individuals to better understand themselves, others, and the many different ways humans and animals express needs, emotions, boundaries, and trust.

Summer’s ability to translate flock dynamics, animal behaviour, sensory awareness, and emotional understanding into engaging and accessible learning experiences is extraordinary. The program reflects insight, creativity, empathy, and a profound respect for both people and animals.

Chickens to Love is an important contribution to the evolving field of Animal Assisted Learning and a wonderful example of how lived experience can shape truly impactful and inclusive practice.

It is an honour to support and endorse this work. You can find it on the course section of our website here: https://animaltherapies.org.au/courses/

Wendy Coombe
Founder
Animal Therapies Ltd

25/05/2026

This is a great offering.

NEW PROGRAM - Join experienced animal & equine assisted therapist, educator, clinical supervisor and mentor, Sarah Munn, AHPRA registered occupational therapist. Sarah runs a multi disciplinary therapy & learning team focusing on paediatrics and mental health, neurodivergence and trauma. Sarah has run clinic and farm based services for 14 years making this a rare opportunity to learn from a leader in the sector.

This is an individual and bespoke program where you learn to navigate getting started in equine or animal assisted therapy or learning. Or if you have already started but need to write pouches, procedures and check into evidence based or trauma informed practice this is also valuable.

Usually delivered over 10 weeks for an intense and goal focused experience, this program can also be run over a year if you need longer to work on things in between sessions or prefer a payment plan and course delivery over a longer time frame.

Even if you want to include some animal practice and also use outdoor spaces, nature and gardening this is the program for you. Understand scope of practice and how to integrate your core skills and techniques to include horses, other animals, horticulture and nature. Get all the help you need to get on the right track and secure insurances required to start with clients and grade your own professional development and support in the sector.

For More Info Check Out
www.sarahmunn.com.au/professionaldevelopment

Or Contact. [email protected]

23/05/2026

Sarah Munn (OT) and Alex Brennan (Therapeutic Teacher) from Gadara, spotted here in the Babydoll Sheep Breeders Australia babydollsheep_au Newsletter. Pictured with the lovely Babydoll folk at this years annual stud tour and professional development day at ravenstonestation. Sarah and Alex gave a presentation about how Babydoll sheep can be included in animal assisted therapy and learning programs. (Hope we aren’t breaching any copywrite copying and sharing this photo taken at the event 🐑). We 💚 Babydolls.

20/05/2026

Biophilia is an integral foundation for what we do at Gadara. Literally translated as “love of life”, it is the concept that humans possess an innate, biologically-driven affinity to connect with nature and other living organisms. Which is why we think it’s more therapeutic to do things with plants, trees, dirt and animals than without them.

19/05/2026

Gadara - not just for kids. Friday is our grown-ups day where we support the people who care for the kids. Therapeutic Horticulture Volunteering is specifically for people needing some therapeutic time in a friendly, quiet, stress-free place. For professionals battling burnout, parents living in hyper-vigilance, grandparents giving a lot, carers of children in any capacity, and people needing to build some stamina or fortitude to get back into the workplace. It’s free and therapeutic to come along. You pitch in when you feel the need, and help us care for the farm so the kids can run the farm.
🌳💚🧚🌸

15/05/2026

One of our many farm friends. Actually the size of my hand - took me by surprise when I did the night check and there they were staring at me.

14/05/2026

Have a look round the farm - orientations at 9 ish tomorrow. Friday 15th May. Just come along. For people who want to volunteer in a therapeutic environment on Friday mornings. For the love of FRESH AIR, gardening and basic animal care tasks. Work on your own or in a small group. Sarah will be there to meet you and show you round.