Ponderosa

The Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre was established by a group of people who wanted to help bridge the gap between disabled and able bodied people. The Rare Breeds Farm The farm started as a hobby for Maureen Cook in 1992 with several rare breeds, including llamas and emus. It soon became a favourite with the people from the local community and we soon realised that caring for the animals assisted their personal development. People who previously had very limited communication skills, very little farming knowledge and low self-esteem were now becoming very adept workers with increasing confidence and vastly improved social skills. Some moved on to gain skills elsewhere, some are now competent workers at Ponderosa, working in the joiners shop, taking care of the animals, even to the extent of lambing sheep without needing any help. These are people who could not communicate or use public transport when they first visited the farm. The number of different rare breeds on the farm has continued to increase and there are now pigs, peacocks, highland cows, goats, horses, donkeys, birds of prey, llamas, several different kinds of birds and many, many more. As the word has spread local schools and playgroups began to bring groups of 30 or more children to see the well cared for animals at Ponderosa, to further their curricula studies or just for a day out. The growing success and obvious necessity in the community prompted Howard and Maureen Cook to develop the venture further, into the Ponderosa that can be seen today. Construction of a visitor centre began in January 1997. This now provides facilities such as toilets for the disabled and a refreshment area. A veranda has been incorporated giving beautiful views of the lake, animal sheds and surrounding countryside.