The Concept
A Texas Animal farm has created an amazing environment where abandoned/rescued animals form healing relationships with special needs kids. The Safe in Austin curative program was founded by Jamie-Wallace Griner after witnessing the impacts of her autistic son’s service dog, Angel, on his mental health. Wallace-Griner and her husband, David Griner, purchased a 10-acre ranch in 2014 and moved their family there to set up the rehabilitation program. According to Griner on the Safe in Austin website, “We 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. Once they are healthy enough and we have earned their trust; we introduce our rescues to children that come from similar backgrounds of abuse, neglect, and/or special needs.”
“They’re just like me”
According to the Washington Post, “Wallace-Griner said they now have “20 dogs, 14 cats, eight horses, 32 goats, four rabbits, three tortoises, one parrot, four turkeys, lots of chickens, 18 pigs and four cows.” Children at this farm feel very secure knowing that they are not so different after all. For reference, Harper Wulms, a now 5 year old, was just 2 when she met a turkey with a similar condition to her. Wulms has symbrachydactyly, an abnormality that makes her hand look smaller. The turkey, Priscilla, also shares an abnormality with Wulms: “a lucky claw”. Just in September, this foundation made headlines when a disabled calf was built a custom wheelchair.
How You Can Help
Unfortunately, this very new nonprofit organization has been recently struggling with funding. According to Fox News, “The sanctuary tries to raise money by hosting events geared around its animals, such as its 3rd Annual Fall Family Fun Fest held on Oct. 17, which also acted as a backdoor introduction for locals to understand the farm’s mission statement.” This sanctuary might be the best thing you’ll hear about in 2020 so let's help! Check it out
Want to sponsor a rescue? Click here!
Want to donate? Click here!
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