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OUR ANIMALS

Help us feed and support our animals

Our model relies on the brilliance of our animals. Each of our animals has a unique personality and contributes in varying ways to our model of care.

Dogs 

Mr Dibs

Mr Dibs is a Parsons Jack Russell who came to the farm as an 8-week-old puppy. He has been likened to a cat demonstrating that he has 9 lives getting himself into trouble on a regular basis. He is a highly sociable, fun and loving little dog who is highly attuned to young people’s needs and can often be found consoling someone or simply providing a good laugh.

Zues

Zues is a German Sheppard. He is highly relatable, adventurous, energetic and playful. While Zues is often seen getting into mischief he also loves a quiet cuddle. Zues is very loving and friendly and will often be the first to greet you at the farm.

Lilah

Lilah is a border collie kelpie cross and brings a lot of energy to the farm. She will greet you at the gate with enthusiasm and never misses an opportunity for a quick lick. She loves to be involved in all the activities she can on the farm… particularly when running.

Horses

Sir Baron (Baz man)

Baz is a pinto standardbred whom has a cheeky and charismatic personality with a strong sense of curiosity. He is a part time resident at the farm but when he is here he is quick to introduce himself and can provide the opportunity for people to explore and learn to express their own needs and personal boundaries.

Nahla

Nahla is a warmblood thoroughbred cross and the good life farm princess whom was born and breed on the property. She is now a part time resident on the farm but has been part of the family all of her life. She displays a highly affectionate, self-expressed and loving nature. She would love nothing more than to join in the daily program activities with us all and is trust worthy in large groups or one on one.

Shadow

Shadow is a cross bred pearlino whom often attracts interest due to her blue eyes. She is a part time resident at the farm and became part of the family following a paddock accident as a yearling. She has difficulty trusting humans due to negative early life experiences and can therefore be slow to warm. She is clear with her personal space and touch boundaries and is often relatable to young people with challenging histories.

Addie

As Nahla's daughter, Addie is a second-generation princess born at the Good Life Farm in September 2021. Addie is a part time resident at the farm and appears to follow in her mother's footsteps with an affectionate and curious nature. Addie's sometimes sassy spirit brings out laughter and joy for many while offering an opportunity to build awareness of self and others.

Flossy

Flossy is an Irish Sports Horse whom was introduced to the farm in 2023. While Floss is a stoic horse who appears to enjoy food and her own space. However, she is also happy for a groom and hanging out with other farm animals and humans alike. 

Pigs 

Archie

Archie is a large black bore who has a strong stature and personality with an inner teddy bear nature.

Wilbur

Wilbur is a large black pig with a gentle and kind nature. He loves a scratch and wallow.

Alpacas

Rosa and Peanut

Rosa and Peanut are like chalk and cheese. Both were hand reared as orphans and demonstrate a strong sense of herd and highly protective instincts. Rosa is fully self-expressed and loves to express her needs to participate in morning check ins and feeding. On the other hand, Peanut is very sensitive and has difficulty being around crowds due to a medical problem which led to having an eye removed as a 4 week old.

Poultry

Geese

Geese have long lifespans. Paddy and Sweet Pee are long standing farm residents who provide a strong sense of family and model close relationship. They provide the opportunity for young people to overcome fears and help them learn how to self- regulate and navigate difficult feelings.

Turkeys

Mr Gobbler and his girls offer healing and connection through laughter. They also have a strong family bond and an impressive courtship display.

Chooks

The chooks are fascinating to watch and learn from. They demonstrate a hierarchy and model a functional pecking order. Collecting the eggs is always a highly sort after activity.

Donkeys

Mini Me, Tarco & Boo Boo

Mini Me, Tarco and Boo Boo are our miniature donkeys with big personalities. Mini Me is mother to both Tarco and Boo Boo and they share a close bond. These donkeys love being with people and involving themselves in everything utilising clear communication and frequently expressing their wants and needs.

Sheep & Goats

Scooby & Shaggy

Scooby and Shaggy, our miniature goats are two of the cutest farm residents! While Shaggy enjoys roaming around and down time snuggling on a lap, Scooby is adventurous and is often searching for something new and exciting to do.

Gypsy

Gypsy is the resident sheep who was hand raised on the farm. Gypsy enjoys food and at times a quiet pat.

Cows

Annabelle

Annabelle is our hand reared cow. She adores being groomed and fed, often spending time relaxing, lying down and chewing her cud. She also loves to play and can support people with grounding, learning boundaries and building confidence.

Snakes

Olie

Olie is a Children’s Python and has quite the adventurous nature. Olie is at his happiest slithering around exploring new environments and can be very curious about who you are. Olie requires gentle hands and helps people learn about respecting all creatures great and small.

We also acknowledge the strong connections and contributions from farm family members from past.

Dogs: Sasha, Zac, Lucy Lou, Nip, Mitzy Moo, Bilbo

Horses: Chantilly Lace (Tilly), What a kid (Kid), Vitesse Daring to Dream (Cooper), Zackary, Elmo

Cow: Stimpy, Honey

Goats: Ester, Angel, Dori

And a collective acknowledgment of the many other creatures great and small that have blessed the farm with their presence.

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Principal, Chum Creek Primary School

Lesley and the staff at Good Life Farm build a wonderful rapport with participating students and this facilitates open discussion about appropriate behaviours and the effects of inappropriate behaviours on others.

Participant Parent

W's involvement in the Farm this term has certainly been beneficial.

He is finding ways to deal with his anger and anxiety that has impacted his ability to go to school the past few years.

He is in a much happier space and the consistent approach farm has provided him has improved his self-esteem and wellbeing.

Participant Parent

I have seen S grow into a young person who is taking some first steps into the world such as his first job. Prior to his attendance at the Farm, his experience was too overwhelming for him to make sense of it. S has a direction forward and concrete experiences of kindness, respect, excellence and commitment that he gained through his time at the Farm. It takes a village to raise a child - and the Farm has been part of that village for S.

Participant Parent

I want to thank you for all that you have done to help J become the amazing person that he is. In a super stressful time where we often didn't know what to do next, he found a place at Good Life Farm where he could recover his sense of self and heal from the traumas and misunderstanding and school. I am excited for him to face the world with all that you have helped him know about himself.

Assistance Principle, Healesville Primary School

“In our experience, students attending the program have become more engaged with school, developed greater resilience and strategies to assist with conflict resolution and recognition of the impact their behaviour has on other people.”

Thank you to our generous sponsors and to everyone we work with

We acknowledge and respect the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, the traditional custodians of this land since time immemorial. We are learning that the land is not ours to own, but to look after and that if we listen, we may hear in it the calling of the eternal Spirit. Responding to this call, we commit ourselves to work for justice, reconciliation and care of the earth.