Animal Therapies Ltd Podcast
Why chickens are the best teachers in a neurodiverse world
17-year-old Summer Farrelly (they/them) is the creator of a unique animal assisted learning program called Chickens 2 Love, developed for autistic and other neurodivergent people to help them develop social skills.
The program came into being when Summer was just 10 years of age, living in Bundaberg, Queensland and being home schooled due to an education system that did not cater to children who were different.
Fortunately, Summer's flock of 20 chickens proved exceptional teachers. Observing them closely, Summer identified a pattern of interaction and behaviour that could be applied in a human setting.
In the intervening seven years, Summer has earned their 'wings' as an animal behaviourist, inclusion advocate, sought after public speaker, education consultant and now university student - in the second year of a Bachelor Zoology at the University of New England in Armidale.
At the core of their work is a desire to demonstrate how neurodivergent people are shaping the world in a positive way, and why animals play such an important role in that space.
17-year-old Summer Farrelly (they/them) is the creator of a unique animal assisted learning program called Chickens 2 Love, developed for autistic and other neurodivergent people to help them develop social skills.
The program came into being when Summer was just 10 years of age, living in Bundaberg, Queensland and being home schooled due to an education system that did not cater to children who were different.
Fortunately, Summer's flock of 20 chickens proved exceptional teachers. Observing them closely, Summer identified a pattern of interaction and behaviour that could be applied in a human setting.
In the intervening seven years, Summer has earned their 'wings' as an animal behaviourist, inclusion advocate, sought after public speaker, education consultant and now university student - in the second year of a Bachelor Zoology at the University of New England in Armidale.
At the core of their work is a desire to demonstrate how neurodivergent people are shaping the world in a positive way, and why animals play such an important role in that space.