Amie McKay with her daughter Claire and personality-plus duck, Quack, at Calm the Farm in Albion Park. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
Amie McKay knows the therapeutic power of animals.
Her daughter, Claire, lives with a disability, and was mute for some time as a child.
All that changed when she engaged in animal therapy.
Now in her 20s, Claire thrives hanging out with her family’s assortment of rescued chooks, ducks, lambs and goats – plus a horse and a pony or two.
Amie realised other kids like Claire didn’t have access to the same opportunities to be outside, connect with animals and learn more about nature.
So she decided to create it, at Calm the Farm just outside Albion Park.
“A year ago I quit my job and put everything into this,” she said.
“Sometimes I think I’m crazy, but we’re almost ready to open and we’ve had great feedback.
“The animals are non-judgemental if you’re different from anyone else; it made a huge difference to Claire.
“I decided to create something everyone could enjoy.”
The pocket of land isn’t just a haven for kids, it’s a sanctuary for animals too.
Among the residents are Quack, a duck who is prone to taking the odd nibble at people (his inter-duck social skills are equally atrocious), ex-battery hens, Dolly, a former poddy lamb who outgrew the backyard she was living in, and goats that weren’t quite up to standard as breeding stock.
All of the animals are comfortable around people, and come up to take a curious look (or peck, in Quack’s case) at visitors.
They’re keen for pats and treats, and their individual personalities are given space to blossom – even Quack’s.
“Most people want the best for their animals, but sometimes they just can’t care for them anymore,” Amie said.
“I’ve always been an animal person and we’ve given sanctuary to many animals.
“To be able to give them a home, safety and the opportunity to just be is really important to me, it’s really rewarding.”
Calm the Farm is being established on a property where Amie also agists her horses.
She said the project couldn’t have happened without the support of the property owner, who brought her own grandkids up to visit the animals, and plenty of elbow grease.
The chook run is decorated with plants and whimsical ornaments to help engage kids – but the play is all about good-old-fashioned getting their hands dirty.
“We’re not a petting zoo; it’s about engaging in sensory activities while being around the animals,” Amie said.
“Some kids don’t get an opportunity to get dirty or be around animals – they think eggs come from the shop.
“The kids can engage in gardening, growing things for the chickens and animals to eat, scarecrow making, rock painting, or just take their shoes off and put their feet in the mud.
“They get to see first-hand that the animals all have their individual personalities, things they enjoy and don’t enjoy.
“By being with the animals and learning about them, their natural instincts and behaviours, it helps teach children about gentle hands, patience and how the natural world works.”
Calm the Farm will be ready to welcome visitors this year. If you’d like to make a booking, check out its website.
