Gian De Poloni and Kate Leaver
Miniature farm animals are being used to provide respite and support to children and teenagers with autism.
INKA respite farm stay at Lake Clifton, 110 kilometres south of Perth, is home to the fun-size animals including pigs, sheep, goats and horses.
Groups of children and teenagers with autism bunk at the homestead and work together to care for each other and the animals.
Photo: Max and Marlow stand at half the height of a standard goat. (ABC Radio Perth: Gian De Poloni)
The farm's manager, Jim Brownlie, said while the children might be intimidated by Knickers the giant steer who lives just 20 minutes up the road, his animals' small stature made them feel safe and comfortable.
"It's very calming for a lot of them," he said.
"It's a night-and-day difference for some of these guys who come here because other places can't cope with them, but here they're totally different.
"They've got the animals, they've got the freedom, and they've got the quietness away from the city."
Photo: Jim Brownlie manages the farm south of Perth. (ABC Radio Perth: Kate Leaver)
Mr Brownlie said some of the guests were highly autistic and did not cope well in high-pressure environments.
"When we see signs [of difficulty], we try to get them outside, and as soon as we get them down beside the animals, it just seems to calm them down," he said.
"It's great therapy for them, they just love feeding the animals.
"It's the same faces all the time here that the guys see and they cope better with that."
Mini pigs the star attraction
Mr Brownlie rears miniature piglets and sells them to raise money for the organisation.
He said there had been a high demand for the pigs as pets in recent years and saw them as a suitable alternative to a domestic dog or cat.
"They're intelligent, they have the IQ of a three-year-old, and they're very easy to train.
"They take a wee bit more work than a puppy to begin with, but they learn quicker than a puppy once you get over that initial first start because they're very wary of strangers.
"They're very much great fun, they love water, you can take them to the beach and they'll get in the sea — they're much like a dog."
The only challenge is that miniature pigs are classified as farm animals by local councils, meaning special provisions are needed to keep them in urban areas.
"To me there's nothing different about them," Mr Brownlie said.
"They're an animal that needs care, just the same as a dog."
Countryside is relaxing for autistic kids
Twenty-year old Tom Lean is autistic and said the farm had become a second home.
"I love it because I'm out of the city," he said.
Photo: The animals have a calming effect. (ABC Radio Perth: Kate Leaver)
"My family has farms so I've always been a farm person — I feel more relaxed, I don't get annoyed as much.
"I do find it good to get away from everyday reality out here.
"I like helping make pens up, I like feeding the animals, looking after them."
Mr Lean said he saw it as his responsibility to help take care of some of the other children lodging at the farm.
"Some days it can be a bit full-on, but I feel like I am making a difference to them and they do enjoy it," he said.
"I believe I am doing a good job at it."
As for Mr Brownlie, he said he and his family would never eat bacon again after caring for the miniature pigs.
"My niece won't touch any pork products at all now because of the mini pigs — and she used to love it."
