All About Animals Animal-Assisted Therapy

02/05/2026

Beautiful visit with friends to finish a busy week at my own little farm sanctuary

02/05/2026

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02/05/2026

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Guess what day it is? It's day one!

Today Disabled people and our supporters begin twelve days of action to protect our NDIS.

We are kicking off the campaign by sharing our powerful, personal stories with political decision-makers. We are going to let them know what the NDIS means for us and how devastating cuts will be to our lives.

To start, head to the DPAC Australia website and click on Get Involved, then Day One. You'll find a guide to sharing your story as well as three options for taking action. https://www.dpacaustralia.net/get-involved

Day One is here ---->https://www.dpacaustralia.net/get-involved/day-1

Every single action has an impact. Every single action counts.

Government is counting on us to be tired and quiet (and let's be real, maybe we are just a little bit tired). But we are also powerful, united and ready. Let's show this government that our lives are not an easy target for their budget savings.

02/05/2026

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It’s hard to fathom the scale of a $35 billion cut to the NDIS.

Imagine a single piece of LEGO. Let’s say that tiny piece represents $1 million.

Now imagine how many pieces make up $35 billion.

You wouldn’t just have a pile - you’d build a wall FOURTEEN METRES LONG AND ONE METRE HIGH.

Let that sink in.

There are no alternative disability supports in place. We don't know what legislation changes are planned to make it happen. We haven’t seen the full modelling underpinning this astronomical cut. But we do know this:

• Hundreds of thousands of people could lose access to the NDIS
• Thousands more will lose essential daily supports
• Everyone will face reassessment for eligibility
• Over 200,000 jobs could be impacted, including jobs held by people with disability
• No therapy practice or provider will be untouched

This is people’s lives, supports, and futures.

Want to take action? Here’s how:

If you’re a professional or provider, support grassroots advocacy by joining our low-cost event (link in comments ). You’ll learn how to show up as an ally at a critical time, hear from leading advocates such as Dr George Taleporos (GAICD, PhD) and Stevie Lang Howson and your ticket will directly support the intense campaigning and advocacy needed in the weeks ahead.

Please share this with your networks.

And follow the incredible work already underway by Every Australian Counts, Disabled People Against Cuts (Australia), AND disability-led organisations, and advocates across the country.

This moment matters.



*The visual attached is for concept illustration purposes, measurement is not exact.

24/04/2026

The government plans to cut the number of NDIS users by 160,000 over the next four years. Here’s what we know about how they’ll do that and who’ll be affected.

24/04/2026

On ANZAC Day, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of all who have served.

We honour not only the men and women of our defence forces, but also the animals who stood beside them—horses, dogs, pigeons and others—who played vital roles in service and sacrifice.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”

Their loyalty, bravery, and service will never be forgotten.

Lest we forget.

22/04/2026

Some participants will start to see changes from July. Here’s what to expect.

22/04/2026

Mental health stigma is still one of the biggest barriers people face when seeking support. Too often, individuals feel judged, misunderstood, or defined by a diagnosis — when in reality, mental health challenges are a part of being human, not a limitation on your future.

A mental health diagnosis is not a life sentence. It can be the beginning of understanding yourself more deeply, learning practical tools, and building a life that is meaningful, connected, and rewarding.

Recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone — and that’s okay. It’s a journey, not a destination. With the right supports, people can and do live full, rich lives.

One powerful pathway for many is animal-assisted therapy. The connection between humans and animals can help reduce anxiety, build trust, improve emotional regulation, and create a sense of safety and belonging. Sometimes, healing begins with a simple, non-judgmental presence.

Let’s keep challenging stigma, opening conversations, and reminding each other: there is hope, there is help, and there are many ways forward.

13/04/2026

Box breathing is one of the most commonly taught techniques for managing stress and anxiety. It’s simple, structured, and for many people—it works.

But it’s important to recognise: not every tool works for every nervous system.

Box breathing is often used in high-performance environments, including military training, where soldiers are taught to regulate their breathing to maintain focus during high-pressure situations such as live fire or combat scenarios. While this can be incredibly effective in the moment, the body can also form strong associations between that breathing pattern and intense, life-threatening experiences.

For some veterans or individuals with lived trauma, returning to a structured breathing pattern like box breathing can unintentionally activate the nervous system rather than calm it. Instead of feeling grounded, they may feel heightened, triggered, or transported back to moments of danger.

This is why having a range of regulation tools matters.

Equine-assisted therapy offers an alternative pathway—one that doesn’t rely solely on internal techniques like breath control. Horses respond to what is happening in your body, not what you are trying to “make happen.” They invite you into regulation through presence, body awareness, and connection.

Rather than focusing on controlling the breath, individuals can:
• Notice their body in space
• Adjust posture and tension
• Slow down naturally through interaction
• Experience co-regulation with a calm, responsive animal

Horses provide immediate, honest feedback. When your nervous system settles, they settle. When you are dysregulated, they show you—without judgment.

For those who find traditional techniques confronting or ineffective, this kind of experiential, relational approach can feel safer, more accessible, and deeply impactful.

Because regulation isn’t one-size-fits-all—and sometimes, healing happens through connection, not control.

12/04/2026

Programs like Project POOCH are showing the powerful impact of canine-assisted services with young offenders.

In this program, incarcerated youth work with rescue dogs — training, caring for, and building relationships with animals who also need a second chance.

The results are remarkable:
• Increased empathy and emotional awareness
• Improved social skills and confidence
• Development of responsibility and purpose
• Early findings even showed zero recidivism in initial participant groups

When young people are given the opportunity to care, connect, and contribute — real change can happen.

It’s not just about training dogs…
It’s about rebuilding lives.