Field of Dreams-Early Intervention and Support

16/02/2026

Yeppoon colleagues- I’m looking forward to collaborating with you and your young clients!

Research Spotlight- Children with ADHD often face challenges with executive functioning, self-esteem, and learning — which can also place significant stress on families and caregivers.

New research highlights the impact of horse-based interventions when combined with speech therapy.
In a six-month study involving children with ADHD:

• All participants showed improvement
• Children who participated in horse-based intervention + speech therapy showed greater gains in executive functioning and self-esteem
• Caregivers reported a greater reduction in stress and burden

These findings suggest that horse-based interventions are a meaningful, evidence-informed complement to traditional therapies — supporting not only children, but their families as well.

At Animal Therapies Ltd, we continue to advocate for safe, ethical, and evidence-based animal-assisted services that enhance wellbeing across the lifespan. Read more here:

https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8533549/v1.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

15/02/2026

https://www.first2care.com.au/post/thriving-kids-program-what-we-know-so-far
Thanks to First 2 Care for this update.

Over the past year, many NDIS participants and families have been hearing more about a new program called Thriving Kids. We briefly mentioned it in an earlier blog on early intervention, and since then, questions have continued to grow, particularly about what it could mean for children with develop...

11/02/2026

Love EAL- coming soon to Yeppoon!

Who Works in Animal-Assisted Services?

Animal-assisted services are delivered by a diverse, multidisciplinary workforce, supporting people across health, disability, education, justice, community and aged-care settings.

Professionals working ethically with animals may include:

🔹Health practitioners – psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social workers, counsellors and physiotherapists integrating animals within their professional scope.

🔹 Education professionals – teachers, special educators and learning support staff integrating animals to support engagement, regulation and inclusive learning.

🔹 Disability & community support professionals – disability support workers, youth workers and case managers supporting participation and wellbeing through structured animal-assisted activities.

🔹 Animal-assisted practitioners – practitioners with specialist training in animal-assisted programs, operating within ethical and welfare frameworks.

🔹 Health, aged-care, justice & first-responder settings – nurses, lifestyle staff and practitioners supporting wellbeing, trauma recovery and social connection.

Across all settings, best practice requires:
✔ Appropriate human qualifications
✔ Animal welfare and species-specific training
✔ Clear scope of practice
✔ Insurance, risk management and ethical delivery

Animal-assisted services are not one profession — they are a collaborative field centred on human wellbeing and animal welfare.

04/02/2026

“Mild autism doesn't mean one experiences autism mildly… It means you experience their autism mildly.” — Adam Walton.

Thoughts?
?

01/02/2026

Equine assisted learning- a great tool to support children!

For young people who feel disconnected from traditional learning environments, education can feel overwhelming or unsafe. Animals help shift that experience.

Animal-assisted learning creates a calm, non-judgemental space where trust can develop naturally.

Animals don’t criticise, rush, or label — they respond to consistency, kindness, and presence. This helps learners build emotional regulation, confidence, empathy, and a sense of responsibility.

Through structured, supported interactions with animals, disengaged learners can reconnect with learning, strengthen social skills, and experience achievement in meaningful ways.

30/01/2026

Beautiful friends of F.O.D- can you please collect these for me? They’re so useful in my group work!

28/01/2026

Love Equine Assisted Learning and the benefits for our kids!

When humans spend time with horses - especially in a calm and non-pressured way - a range of physiological changes can occur 🧠🐴
Here’s what research and clinical observation show:

🧠 Nervous system regulation
Many people experience a shift out of fight/flight and into a calmer, more regulated state
Breathing often slows and deepens
Heart Rate Variability (a marker of nervous-system flexibility) can improve

💙 Hormonal & neurochemical responses
Beneficial neuroendocrine effects have been associated with reduced anxiety and improved mood
Reduced cortisol (the primary stress hormone) has been observed in some studies
Oxytocin may increase during positive, relational interactions, supporting feelings of safety, trust and connection

🫀 Cardiovascular effects
Lower heart rate and blood pressure has been reported
These effects are associated with relaxation and parasympathetic (rest-and-restore) activation

🧘 Body awareness & regulation
Horses often encourage slower movement, grounded posture and present-moment awareness
This can enhance interoception - the ability to notice internal bodily signals

🌿 Emotional and psychological flow-on effects
Reduced anxiety and tension
Increased sense of safety and connection
Improved mood and awareness

✨ Importantly, these effects are context-dependent.
Safety, consent, relationship and attunement matter. When interactions are rushed, pressured or stressful, the nervous system can respond very differently - for both the horse and human.

This is why Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) should always place a strong emphasis on safety, relationship, nervous-system awareness and ethical, horse-centred practice

26/01/2026

Fantastic! Thanks Australian Open

We decided to go to the Australian Open today. What is awesome, are the sensory bags available at the accessibility check point!

Not only was it offered to us upon arrival, another staff member recommended them to us when they realised we had sensory needs waiting in line for something.

I did bring ear defenders and sun glasses for my kids, but to have these bags available is so helpful! It's so hard leaving the house and trying to remember everything, so these as a backup is very helpful!

Well done Australian Open !

23/01/2026

And that’s it. Field of Dreams Cashmere is closed. My primary girls group was a lovely way to finish- boosting our inner super girl so we’re stronger than the negative voices in our head.
Watch out Yeppoon- we’re coming your way!

21/01/2026

Today has been a day of farewells and celebrations. So proud of the achievements of the amazing children in both groups.
Our Primary boys group showed growth in self understanding, gross motor control and creativity.
My high school EAL girls- so proud of these girls. My joy in seeing their personal successes is beyond measurement! Note to self- don’t leave phone unattended- result cute selfies!
I’m going to miss these kids so much!
Thanks to Jo- I’ll miss your support at our sessions!

14/01/2026

As we approach the end of our Cashmere sessions, I’m loving seeing how far “my girls” have come!
Self confidence, teamwork, pride in their work and achievements- what more could I hope for?
So proud of these girls!

14/01/2026

Thanks Chloé Hayden my thoughts exactly- a voice, a start, being heard & seen.