Afford’s Cherrywood Friendship Farm starred on Channel 9’s Weekend Today on the 30th June. The stage was set and, boy oh boy, did we rock it! Congratulations to the Afford team – in particular to those involved with the Bushbred Horse Assisted Learning program.
On the day of filming, Cherrywood Friendship Farm was buzzing with our furry friends and clients from our Mount Druitt, Windsor, Lurnea and Llandilo sites – who all came together to share in the fun of Afford’s animal therapy program. Afford Customer Care Representative Aaron Young was on site to shed some light on the program. He did a fantastic job of representing Afford.
“The best part of the program is to see the clients – to see how invigorated they are and how much they enjoy the program,” said Aaron.
Some of the furry friends in the spotlight were our horses. But let’s not forget our star attraction Rocky the ‘star camel’, who wanted to say hello to the camera and pose at every opportunity!
Afford’s animal therapy program at Cherrywood Friendship Farm is a one-of-a-kind for disability services. We partner with Bushbred’s Horse Assisted Learning Programs to tailor activities for a range of participant abilities. At Cherrywood Friendship Farm, Llandilo, participants can get up close with horses, guinea pigs, goats and other animals.
Throughout the Weekend Today segment, it was clear that the animal therapy participants had overcome their fears and become much more comfortable through regular activities. Some participants come to animal therapy with limited communication, but once they take part in animal therapy, touching the different furs and coats of the animals, they find ways of expressing themselves through facial expression, gestures and vocal sounds. The program covers grooming and feeding horses, and learning about the day-to-day care and raising of livestock.
Many of the animals involved in the program at Cherrywood Friendship Farm have been rescued. As well as impacting the lives of our clients, the animal therapy program helps to rebuild the lives of these amazing creatures.
Afford takes a whole-of-life approach to disability services and animal therapy is another way that we think outside of the box to support people with disability achieve work, home and life happiness.
Come and see what Afford can offer you at the Nepean Disability Expo on Friday and Saturday, September 14 and 15 at Penrith Panthers’ Exhibition Marquee. Register HERE to attend this FREE event hosted by 4community, the social impact advisory that advances the impact of other organisations and increasing access to the right products and services for people with disability.