We are a Federally approved 501c3 non-profit organization focusing on providing free animal therapy for those with special needs and rescuing neglected animals. Four years ago we were blessed with Grady. He is our youngest son who was diagnosed with down syndrome. He is our daily inspiration and after learning how much joy life on the farm brings him and knowing the positive impact animal therapy has, we wanted to share it with those who have similar gifts. Unfortunately most places charge quite a bit for AAA/AAT but we did not want money to be an obstacle for kids to be able to receive these benefits. So that is why we started Downs On The Farm- to give those with special needs/disabilities a 100% free place to come! We here at the farm believe that we are bringing the best of both worlds to a community of our society that needs to be mutually accepted. We love it here and know you will too! Please call or email to schedule a visit.
Here is a sample of some of the things your child can experience free of charge.
Go horseback riding for pleasure and for therapy!
“A pet is a medication without side effects that has so many benefits. I can't always explain it myself, but for years now I've seen how instances of having a pet is like an effective drug. It really does help people.” Dr. Edward Creagan
Oncologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Oncologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Pet and feed our alpacas, chickens, goats, sheep, miniature horses, bunnies and miniature pig in the petting zoo!
Meet and play with other children at our many events throughout the year!
Help us help the neglected and abused animals we rescue by becoming a meaningful part of their road to recovery!
The true benefits of riding for handicapped children!
Examples of AAT goals:
Physical.
Improve fine motor skills.
Improve wheelchair skills.
Improve standing balance.
Mental Health.
Increase verbal interactions between group members.
Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on task).
Develop leisure/recreation skills.
Increase self-esteem.
Reduce anxiety.
Reduce loneliness.
Educational.
Increase vocabulary. Aid in long- or short-term memory.
Improve knowledge of concepts such as size, color, etc.
Motivational.
Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity.
Improve interactions with others.
Improve interactions with staff.
Increase exercise.
Riding for the Handicapped is widely recognized as one of the most beneficial types of therapeutic recreation available. It helps develop self-awareness, builds self-confidence, self-discipline, and improves concentration. Horseback riding also improves posture, balance and coordination, increases joint mobility, strengthens and relaxes muscles.
A riding program gives the handicapped a feeling of freedom and independence and an awareness of body in space that would be very difficult to obtain by conventional therapy. Exercising the spirit as well as the body provides an enormous boost for volunteers and participants alike.
Therapeutic riding for the handicapped began in Scandinavia shortly after Liz Hartle won the silver medal for Olympic dressage, despite being handicapped by polio. Her success inspired Mrs. Bodthker, a Norwegian therapist to establish a therapeutic riding program for children disabled with polio. This practice soon spread to England in the late 1950's where a center for therapeutic riding was built in Chigwell. It became the center of its kind to be built specifically for therapeutic riding.
Horseback riding for the handicapped grew to become recognized as one of the most modern forms of progressive therapeutic recreation. Currently, there are more than 400 riding for the handicapped centers in operation in the United States.
In 1969 the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) was formed to coordinate the efforts of those working in this growing field. NARHA functions as an advisory and regulatory body, dedicated to promoting horseback riding for the handicapped.
Physical.
Improve fine motor skills.
Improve wheelchair skills.
Improve standing balance.
Mental Health.
Increase verbal interactions between group members.
Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on task).
Develop leisure/recreation skills.
Increase self-esteem.
Reduce anxiety.
Reduce loneliness.
Educational.
Increase vocabulary. Aid in long- or short-term memory.
Improve knowledge of concepts such as size, color, etc.
Motivational.
Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity.
Improve interactions with others.
Improve interactions with staff.
Increase exercise.
Riding for the Handicapped is widely recognized as one of the most beneficial types of therapeutic recreation available. It helps develop self-awareness, builds self-confidence, self-discipline, and improves concentration. Horseback riding also improves posture, balance and coordination, increases joint mobility, strengthens and relaxes muscles.
A riding program gives the handicapped a feeling of freedom and independence and an awareness of body in space that would be very difficult to obtain by conventional therapy. Exercising the spirit as well as the body provides an enormous boost for volunteers and participants alike.
Therapeutic riding for the handicapped began in Scandinavia shortly after Liz Hartle won the silver medal for Olympic dressage, despite being handicapped by polio. Her success inspired Mrs. Bodthker, a Norwegian therapist to establish a therapeutic riding program for children disabled with polio. This practice soon spread to England in the late 1950's where a center for therapeutic riding was built in Chigwell. It became the center of its kind to be built specifically for therapeutic riding.
Horseback riding for the handicapped grew to become recognized as one of the most modern forms of progressive therapeutic recreation. Currently, there are more than 400 riding for the handicapped centers in operation in the United States.
In 1969 the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) was formed to coordinate the efforts of those working in this growing field. NARHA functions as an advisory and regulatory body, dedicated to promoting horseback riding for the handicapped.