David Robbins, co-owner of Mandy’s Farm, said the farm was created for his autistic daughter as a supportive environment. However, the project grew to encompass a variety of interactive facilities open to a wider public of adults with disabilities and endearingly took the name of his daughter, Mandy.
There is a high demand for what is being done at Mandy’s Farm, and even though the state provides some financial support through specific grants the majority of the support comes from fundraising, he said.
“We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to make ourselves useful to the bigger community with disabilities?’” he said.
In hopes of attaining this goal, a residential program was created on the farm, offering living amenities and other personal services for eight women and men with disabilities, he said.
Jessie Calero, day-service program coordinator, said that along with residence-related support, there are daily rehabilitation services provided and administered at the farm, increasing the accessibility of these services to about 100 more individuals.
Through the adaptive therapy at the farm, the individuals have a natural way to build skills. It is immediately rewarding to see, for example, an animal feeding off of the food the individual provides, Calero said.
“Adaptive therapy provides physical feedback for someone with physical disabilities, where they need lots of exercise,” Calero said. “For someone who has sensory issues, riding a horse provides a lot of pressure on a huge part of their body, as well as swimming. This is very soothing and can help calm some of that sensory overload that a lot of the individuals we serve experience.”
This program incorporates the recent addition of the Apaloosa Art Space, giving individuals the opportunity to create art and interact with others simultaneously, she said.
“Our mission is to help individuals with disabilities to identify, develop and achieve their goals,” Calero said. “There are many different clients that we serve who have so many different interests and passions; we try to meet all of those and really provide them with the opportunity to do what makes them happy.”
Executive director Melissa McCue said, the farm includes a corral for horsemanship, animal pens, a community garden and an indoor pool — all with the intention of incorporating the individuals in a dynamic fashion, she said.
There are accessibility ramps placed in all the facilities, making the activities and spaces available to everyone, she said.
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Mandy’s Farm has incorporated water polo in their weekly activities and has collaborated with New Mexico Kayak Instruction, she said. This allows the individuals to learn how to kayak in the pool and then proceed to go kayaking outside.
Katherine Michalske, coordinator for the employment service Everyone Can Work offered at the farm, said the non-profit program provides the individuals with the opportunity to develop prevocational skills and identity.
“Your work is part of your identity. When you introduce yourself you probably say my name is... and then you tell people what you do for a living, identifying as a member of a community” Michalske said.
McCue emphasized the farm’s 1-to-2 or 1- to-3 staff-to-client ratio, depending on the activity and individuals. This ensures a more personal and meaningful connection with the clients, said McCue.
“We like to think of this as an extension of our own family,” McCue said. “I know what the individuals mean to the farm and what the farm means to them. We want to be sustainable while we hold a high quality of service.”
Mateo Rocha is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.
