Animal Instincts Australia - Toowoomba

11/11/2025

Can horses really help at-risk youth?

A fascinating study on equine programs for disenfranchised young people found something powerful — horses can help young people develop confidence, focus, empathy, and emotional regulation… even without a therapist present.

Here’s what the researchers discovered:

• Affordable, accessible impact – Even without a clinical therapist, equine programs helped youth improve behaviour, focus, and relationships. This makes it a practical option for schools and communities with limited resources.

• A safe, calm environment – Working with horses created a contrast to the stressful, often aggressive environments many young people experience. Participants became calmer, more patient, and more caring — especially boys who are often overrepresented in school disciplinary cases.

• Stronger connections – Building trust with a horse encouraged empathy and responsibility. However, matching the right horse with the right young person proved crucial — particularly for those with anxious or avoidant attachment styles.

• Better focus and classroom behaviour – Teachers noticed that students were more focused and well-behaved after horse sessions, showing that the benefits extended beyond the paddock.

• Growth in key life skills – Participants developed confidence, attention, social skills, and emotional regulation through hands-on, practical learning with horses.

The study suggests that equine-assisted programs could offer schools and youth organizations a positive, non-judgemental alternative to traditional disciplinary measures — helping young people reconnect, self-regulate, and rediscover their sense of purpose. 🐴

Source:
https://www.academia.edu/104115993/Engaging_Disenfranchised_Youth_through_an_Equine_Assisted_Activities_Program_Understanding_Psychosocial_Benefits_of_Horse_Human_Interactions?email_work_card=view-paper

09/11/2025

FUNDRAISER ALERT!!

Come join us at Outback Instincts (Goombungee) for a fun, hands-on Farm Visit — all while supporting our youth programs, helping local young people reconnect with education, training & community. 💚
📅 When: Saturday, November 15th | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

08/11/2025

Appreciation Post for Our Handsome Boy, Tom! 🖤🐾

Meet Tom — one of the friendliest (and most handsome!) cats here at AIA.

Tom is more than just a pretty face — he’s one of our amazing animal-assisted therapy cats, helping people find calm, comfort, and connection. His gentle nature and loving personality make him a favorite among visitors of all ages.

And when he’s not busy in therapy sessions, Tom takes on another important role — foster dad to our rescue kittens! He’s patient, nurturing, and always ready to share cuddles and guidance with the little ones who need it most.

We’re so lucky to have him as part of our farm family. Here’s to Tom — our affectionate, loyal, and oh-so-handsome therapy cat! 🐾💞

07/11/2025

Beautiful, healthy, and full of life — Chipotle is thriving thanks to the helping hands and kind hearts of the kids at our Outback Instincts programs. 💛🐄

06/11/2025

🚜 Not your average “therapy session.”

What’s therapeutic for one person might look completely different for the next.

For this young man — almost 10 years old, ASD diagnosis, and full of curiosity — therapy doesn’t happen in a clinic or behind a desk. It happens right here on the farm, on the ride-on mower, where he feels the hum of the engine, the vibration under his feet, the smell of cut grass, the dust in the air, and the deep sense of pride when he looks back and sees what he has achieved.

When he first came to us, cobwebs, insects, and loud noises were a barrier. Many little sensory things were a challenge. Now he’s jumping on the mower, managing the sounds and textures of the world around him, and showing up with confidence. And he LOVES to mow!

And while it might look like “just mowing,” what’s really happening is so much bigger.
He’s learning:

Focus and concentration – staying on task and following a mowing pattern.

Motor coordination and strength – controlling the steering, throttle, and awareness of space.

Problem-solving – adapting when the ground changes, when something’s in the way, or the mower needs adjustment.

Emotional regulation – managing excitement, frustration, and sensory overload in real time.

Communication and teamwork – taking direction, giving feedback, and working alongside me as part of a shared job.

Confidence and self-belief – the “I did that” feeling that no worksheet can ever give.

We work side-by-side — he mows, I move hoses and pick up sticks — because that’s how learning happens best: through purpose and participation.

He’s also been learning to drive the farm ute (under close supervision, low range, my hand on the handbrake, in an open paddock) — again, not because he needs to drive, but because he’s learning trust, responsibility, and safe risk-taking and he WANTS to do it!

Out here, life and learning are intertwined. We talk about the DOSE effect — dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins — those feel-good brain chemicals that come from achievement, connection, and purpose. Every time he completes a job, pats the dogs, or hears “mate, you did awesome,” his brain is literally rewiring for success.

It’s unconventional. It’s gritty. It’s real life.
And it works — because we meet these kids where they’re at and help them grow into where they can be. We have no issues getting them through the gate and motivated. Most kids don't thrive in 4 walls and talk therapy. But out here, once they build trust and relationship with us, and can see that we believe in them, they open up. Remember, just like the animals, kids don't care how much you know until they know how much you care 🐾🥰

We’re not here to wrap kids in bubble wrap. We’re here to give them tools, trust, and transformation — so they can thrive in the real world, safely and with pride. ❤️

06/11/2025

THANK YOU MNK Support Services for nurturing your clients' love for animals 🥰

06/11/2025

Despite their reputation, rats can be incredibly smart, affectionate, and full of personality!

They can learn tricks, recognize their handlers, and even show empathy — studies have shown that rats will go out of their way to comfort a distressed friend. Their gentle nature and curiosity make them wonderful companions for building trust, reducing anxiety, and helping people connect in calm, low-pressure ways. 🌿

So next time you think of therapy animals, remember — healing and connection can come in the tiniest, sweetest packages. 💛

05/11/2025

05/11/2025

OMG I'm beyond proud of you Rhiannon! It's been an honour to walk beside you on this journey of life and you are well deserving of this!! Head to Amazon to get a copy of Rhi's book and see why it's made best seller status. Rhi is an incredible young lady and has been brave to step forward and speak her truth with authenticity 🥰

ITS OFFICIAL!

I am so beyond grateful and excited to share that Faith Freedom & Other F Words is now an AMAZON BEST SELLER!! And in 11 Categories no less! And the paperback is still yet to release!

Thank you all so so much from the bottom of my heart for all your support and excitement over my book! Whether you have picked up a digital copy, read the sample or expressed excitment in the paperback version it means the absolute world!

Onwards to the paperback release on the 18th!!

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FY3RQVTL

05/11/2025

My toxic trait is knowing that life is hard, so I'm gonna add a bunch of farm animals to make it harder 🤣🤣🐾🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

04/11/2025

How Horses Help Ease Anxiety in Young People

A recent study found that Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) can make a real difference for children and teens living with anxiety — improving everything from calmness and empathy to communication and planning skills.

Here’s what stood out:
• Big changes in just 5 days: Young people showed improvement across eight key life skills, helping them handle stress, build confidence, and find calm.
• Perfect timing matters: Those aged 11–14 saw the greatest growth — a key stage of life when emotions, hormones, and social changes can make anxiety hit harder.
• Compassion over overwhelm: Working with horses helped participants learn compassion — caring for others without being consumed by their emotions.
• Horses give natural feedback: Because horses mirror human emotions, they help young people understand and regulate their feelings in real time.
• Short, engaging, and effective: Unlike traditional talk therapies, this hands-on program kept 94% of participants engaged from start to finish!

Through the calm presence of a horse, young people learn to breathe, focus, and communicate without words — skills that help them well beyond the arena.

At AIA, we see this every day — the way a quiet moment with a horse can open a door to self-awareness, connection, and healing. 💛

Source:
https://www.academia.edu/2997-9196/1/3/10.20935/MHealthWellB7424