This Farm Creates Friendship Between Injured Animals And Kids With Special Needs

• Founders Jamie and David Griner of ‘Safe in Austin’ drew inspiration from the relationship of their son with autism with his service dog.
• ‘Safe in Austin’ not only rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes animals, but also accepts humans with special needs.
• The farm is a sanctuary for feathered and furry animals and humans.

---

There is a farm sanctuary in Leander, Texas that takes in both furry and feathered rescued animals and humans of all sizes, shapes, race, religion, what have you.

As Safe In Austin founder Wallace-Griner says, “We don’t care about the choices you made in the past, what you look like, who you love, or what you eat. We concentrate on no judgment at all.”

And it all started with her autistic son’s relationship with his service dog.

Wallace-Griner narrates, “We have always loved animals, but when Angel joined our family it became insanely clear how the love of an animal can be literally, miraculous! Angel gave my son confidence and strength beyond anything I was capable of doing as his mother. She provided protection from his fears, understanding of his thoughts, and power over his disabilities.”

With that in mind, she and her husband David bought an old farm and envisioned it to be a judgment-free animal sanctuary and rehabilitation center. 

Safe in Austin’s mission “to rescue animals from severe abuse or neglect, rehabilitate and rehome the ones that are able, and offer a safe and loving forever home for the rest,” would also become a refuge for kids with disabilities, special needs, experienced past emotional trauma, or mental health issues.

It will be a safe place for twin rehabilitation and twin healing.

The farm now has 20 dogs, 18 pigs, many chickens, 32 goats, 14 cats, 3 tortoises, 8 horses, 4 cows, 4 rabbits, and one parrot, many of whom have special needs.

Wallace-Griner said, “We have animals that are blind or deaf, have diabetes, cerebral palsy, deformities, missing limbs, broken spines … they all become part of our family.”

People can visit the sanctuary and get to meet the menagerie but should follow strict COVID-19 regulations. 

Those who seek refuge for mental health issues can email Wallace-Griner as she will invite you on a “healing hearts tour”. This involves pairing with an animal that would best fit your emotional security needs.   

With the new regulations and its ensuing changes, one thing remains the same — the sanctuary is a place of healing, acceptance, and unconditional love.

Source: Good News Network