EQUINE & ANIMAL-ASSISTED Therapy
Experience Therapy in a Different Way
At Montrose Hills Therapy, our Equine & Animal-Assisted programs are delivered outdoors in a peaceful, non-clinical farm setting at our Therapy Space on the Farm in Conway, Whitsundays.
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Led by a professionally qualified Developmental Educator (an allied health professional), participants engage with horses and other farm animals through structured, goal-directed interventions aligned with their NDIS therapeutic goals. These sessions harness the unique strengths of animals to support emotional regulation, build social communication, and enhance physical and psychological wellbeing.
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Our therapy focuses on ground-based (non-ridden) interactions with horses known for their exceptional sensitivity and communication. Developmental Educators work alongside both the participant and the horse, using the horse’s ability to mirror human emotions as a powerful therapeutic tool. This natural responsiveness provides participants with immediate, honest feedback in a safe and supported way.
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Step outside the clinic and into nature. Discover the transformative benefits of Equine & Animal-Assisted Therapy in a serene farm setting designed to nurture connection, capacity, and wellbeing.
Functional Skills Supported Through Animal Interaction
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​During therapy sessions, interactions with animals promote functional skills such as:
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​Building Trust and Relationships: enhancing interpersonal connections
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Communication Skills: encouraging verbal and non-verbal exchanges
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Emotional Regulation: managing and expressing feelings
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Empathy: understanding and share the feelings of others
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Fine and Gross Motor Skills: developing coordination and physical abilities
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Patience and Confidence: supporting self-assurance and perseverance
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Boundaries and Problem-Solving: navigating personal limits and challenges
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Body awareness and Planning: promoting a physical presence and strategic thinking
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Team building: encouraging collaboration and cooperation
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Self-efficacy: empowering belief in personal capabilities
Safety and Suitability Assessments
All horses and farm animals undergo regular safety and suitability assessments. Before engaging with the animals, participants complete evaluations with their therapist to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the participant and the animals throughout each session.
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The Therapy Space on the Farm offers a calm, engaging environment where animals become partners in therapy, complementing the knowledge and skill of our Developmental Educator. This holistic approach creates meaningful opportunities for growth, such as increasing confidence, improving focus, supporting regulation, and building independence, all within an goal-aligned therapeutic framework.
Accessibility Information
Rooster | Montrose Hills
Horse | Montrose Hills
Chickens | Montrose Hills
Rooster | Montrose Hills
Feeding | Montrose Hills
Horse | Montrose Hills
Cuddles | Montrose Hills
Feeding | Montrose Hills
Horse | Montrose Hills
Horse | Montrose Hills
Horse | Montrose Hills
Horse | Montrose Hills
Farm Animals | Montrose Hills
Farm Animals | Montrose Hills
Farm Animals | Montrose Hills
Farm Animals | Montrose Hills
Mangos | Montrose Hills
Eggs | Montrose Hills
Mangos | Montrose Hills
​​Montrose Hills Therapy | Developmental Education is located on a gradual slope. The bathroom facilities are not wheelchair accessible, and there are two steps to navigate to reach them. We are committed to making experiences accessible and are happy to arrange customised experiences for individuals with specific needs. Please note addressing bathroom accessibility will require time.
