It’s a win, win, win on this Ohio farm called Downs on the Farm. The disabled children who visit the farm get to interact with animals and agriculture. The rescued animals find a home at this farm. And, the public can experience life on a farm.

Downs on the Farm is the brainchild of David and Shawna Hodges. This nonprofit agritourism farm provides animal assisted activities to kids with disabilities. But why a farm for disabled children?

UP CLOSE: A young visitor to Downs on the Farm shares some moments with a friendly pig.

In 2008, David and Shawna’s son Grady was born with Down’s syndrome. Diving into research, Shawna found evidence that children with special needs learn through animal therapy. But these learning benefits, she soon discovered, came at a large price tag. She didn’t want that to be a barrier.

“Money wasn’t going to be an obstacle to obtain these benefits,” says Shawna. In Colorado at the time, the Hodges filed for 501(c)(3) status to begin a nonprofit organization providing an animal therapy farm experience for disabled children.

Their move to Ohio was prompted by a need to return home to family. “I needed to come home for support,” Shawna says, expressing the demands she had on her as a mother of a disabled child.

David knew that the financial challenges of bringing Downs on the Farm to life would be a challenge, but as he says, “What’s truly important are the relationships and helping others that bring true joy to our life.”

ANIMAL THERAPY: Shawna Hodges, executive director of Downs on the Farm, shares a rescued rabbit with Grady Hodges, who is receiving animal therapy for Down’s syndrome.

For disabled children
The Hodges began to build relationships. Downs on the Farm provides that needed support not only to Shawna and David, but also to other parents with disabled kids. Located in Oberlin, DOTF began its operation by inviting children with disabilities and their therapists to use the farm environment for animal-assisted activities.

Children interact with animals and agricultural experiences. As they do so, the parents of the children find respite. Family togetherness is promoted. And families with a disabled member who visit the farm feel a commonality with others present. “The parents make an instant friend,” Shawna says, as the children experience the learning benefits.

“As for animal-assisted activities, the kids can do everything from play with an animal, to pet it, to perform a task such as grooming or feeding,” says Shawna.

Simple tasks, such as brushing an animal, can strengthen muscles as well as improve motor skills, build confidence, and inspire motivation and increase self-esteem. “Even caring for another living creature builds respect for life and teaches compassion,” says Shawna about the nature of animal therapy.

GOAT FUN: The Strickler family enjoys time spent with goats at Downs on the Farm.

Since animals and disabled children use nonverbal communication, animal therapy is a unique approach to learning. “Disabled kids do not need a strong vocabulary to feel a connection,” she says.

For rescued animals
Not only do the disabled children feel connected at Downs on the Farm, but so do the animals. The animals, many of which were once neglected and abused, have found a home at DOTF. “The horse, Callie, was rescued from a meat auction. The dog, Gizmo, has three legs,” Shawna offers as examples of animals needing special attention.

The list of the animals available for therapy is long at Downs on the Farm: a horse, pigs, goats, sheep, alpacas, pigeons, bunnies, chinchillas, dogs, cats, and 50 chickens, including laying hens. “We have organic eggs for sale,” Shawna says, “as well as honey and fruit, available for public purchase.”

From the chickens to the horses, the farm is a sanctuary for animals looking for the love, shelter and food that they never received. Some of the animals came to the farm by breeding; others were donated. “If anyone is considering donating an animal, they should contact us so we can learn more about the animal and see if it’s a good fit,” Shawna suggests.

For the public
Donating animals is one way to help Downs on the Farm. But simply visiting DOTF raises money. Although disabled children can visit for free with their therapist, the public is welcome to the farm. At a cost of $35 per hour, families of four can enjoy the petting zoo experience, train rides and playground time. To include pony rides, the cost rises to $60 per hour.

Although the public presence was not part of the initial vision of DOTF, Shawna and David did not want to leave anyone out of the farm experience. “If someone has a typical child, we did not want to exclude them. They are welcome, too,” Shawna says.

By inviting the public to the farm, it serves as another way to keep the farm operating. Kids can have birthday parties at DOTF at a low cost. “We need support from the community to keep doing what we are doing,” explains Shawna.

Donations
Running a nonprofit farm for disabled children, rescued animals and the public is rewarding, but comes with challenges, too. Most recently, DOTF was feeling growing pains when, for example, entire special-needs classes wanted to visit. “There just wasn’t room for buses to turn around,” says Shawna of just one of the challenges at the Oberlin farm location.

So, Downs on the Farm is moving to a new location. A contract was arranged for a 50-acre farm in Amherst. With that added acreage, David will be able to raise hay, rather than purchase forage, in hopes of saving on operating expenses upward of $5,000 for winter feeding.

The expansion of DOTF to Amherst also includes the construction of handicap restrooms, “so that no one is excluded,” Shawna says. Funding is also being sought for insurance, feed for the upcoming winter and a pavilion.

“Anyone can visit our website, downsonthefarm.org, and make a donation,” Shawna says with the notion that donations make dreams come true.

Keeping the farm with operating funds is always a concern. But David says, “Even when the odds are stacked against us, you just can’t give up. There will always be a door that will eventually open.”

ONE-ON-ONE TIME: A child visits with a therapy horse during the annual Barnyard BBQ at Downs on the Farm.