Why Llama?

 Access Llamas is  a non profit organisation that was formed as a way  to give people within the disability and aged care sectors access to a safe  and fun social connection, to promote positive mental health.  

So what's the difference between AAA (Animal Assisted Activities) & AAT (Animal Assisted therapy) ? 

AAT is a formal, structured set of sessions that helps people reach specific goals in their treatment. AAA involves more casual meetings in which an animal and its handler interact with one or more people for comfort or recreation. 

Both AAT & AAA build on the pre-existing human-animal bond. Interacting with a friendly animal can help many physical and mental issues. It can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can also release endorphins that produce a calming effect. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve your overall psychological state.

We aim to decrease social  isolation and provide a  pathway to participation fully in daily and community activities.

People and animal interactions are important for body, mind and wellbeing. Among other factors; promoting exercise, reducing  loneliness and providing  social interaction.  

Llama are a safe and non-threatening large animal that connect well with people in both groups and in one on one situations, they provide a non-judgemental and patient friend. 

Animals often bring out the best in people and Llama are proficient at calming hyperactivity and stimulating movement and interaction in those with physical disabilities. 

Patting and interacting with the llama can help calm anxiety and stress and provide a sense of social interconnection when attending in a group. 

Possible benefits of both Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities may include:

• making you happier, lessening depression, and improving your outlook on life
• decreasing loneliness and isolation by giving you a companion
• encouraging social integration and reduction of social disengagement
• reducing boredom
• reducing blood pressure, anxiety and stress because of its calming effects
• helping children learn empathic and nurturing skills
• Promotes a sense of responsibility and empathy with others
• Promotes self-esteem, independence and self confidence
• Stimulation of movement (reaching, walking, standing)
• improving the relationship between you and your healthcare provider
• Can act as a catalyst for change and help people through transitional life stages
• Interactions can assist people in finding alternative coping strategies to face challenges and support personal growth

We currently provide an Animal Assisted Activity service where people with physical and neurological disabilities and mental health disorders can find meaningful purpose in caring for and handling Llama.  

We have previously visited local schools, interacting with at risk youth and are working towards being able to provide interactions in an on-site capacity on a regular basis. 

The llama provide a calming influence on the children and also provide an incentive based positive reward system for the teachers/carers. 

  Animals often bring out the best in people.

Our walks aren't just about meeting a llama, they are also about communication, socialisation, fine motor skills, exercise and relaxation.
Some of the AAA services we provide are: 

• low cost Llama interactions to people who are differently abled, aged or living with complex mental health issues and community groups servicing these demographics. 
• one-on-one neurodiverse sensitive experiences (previsit videos and pictures available for familiarisation)
• small group neurodiverse sensitive experiences
• aged care group visits both onsite and at our farm
• residential care group visits
• group school visits  

Interacting with Llamas can calm hyperactivity or stimulate movement and interaction in those with disabilities. Access Llamas brings the tactile benefits of Llama to people in a variety of settings. Groups and individuals also have the option to visit the farm for on-site programs. Studies document that holding or caressing an animal has benefits such as lowering blood pressure, improving long term and short term memory and sensory stimuli. 

Not to mention it's really fun - finding a smile is sometimes the best medicine.