Honouring the land we occupy

Bundanoon is an Aboriginal place name meaning “place of deep gullies” or “deep valley”, a direct reflection of the dramatic sandstone gorges and steep, forested ravines that surround the village on the edge of what is now Morton National Park. The town lies where Gandangara and Dharawal (also referred to as Gundungurra and Dharawal) Country meet, and the wider Wingecarribee Shire acknowledges these First Nations peoples as the traditional custodians of the area, with a continuous connection to culture, community and Country that stretches back tens of thousands of years.​

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Before European settlement, the Bundanoon area formed part of a rich network of camping, meeting and trading places for neighbouring groups, including the Gundungurra, Dharawal, Wodi Wodi, Dhurga and related coastal peoples, who moved along traditional pathways between the highlands and the coast following seasonal food sources, ceremony and kinship obligations. Nearby sites such as Nungungnungulla (Jubilee Rocks), just outside Bundanoon, preserve rock engravings, grinding grooves and other cultural markings that testify to long-standing use of the landscape for food processing, tool‑making, ceremony and travel, and today continue to be important teaching places where Elders share stories and practical knowledge with younger generations.​

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The Aboriginal meaning of Bundanoon as “place of deep gullies” speaks not only to the geography but also to the way the land itself holds stories, water, food and pathways; those deep valleys were (and remain) natural corridors, lookout points and gathering spaces woven into songlines and cultural practices. Contemporary acknowledgements by local organisations and community groups emphasise respect for this heritage, recognising that the gully country, its rock formations, waterways, flora and fauna are part of a living cultural landscape in which First Nations presence, custodianship and spiritual connection to Country continue today.​

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This profound connection to Country infuses the AHA Wild Hearts Program, where we honour the land's heritage through mindful stewardship, gratitude for its gifts, and a deep respect for nature's rhythms. Participants are invited to walk softly, learn from the earth, and cultivate a reciprocal relationship with the environment that has sustained life for millennia—echoing the timeless wisdom of living in harmony with place, animals and one another.​

 

What Makes Us Different
While our core philosophy centres on honouring the deep bond between humans and horses, we understand that every person's journey is unique. Your experience with us will be completely tailored to your individual needs, circumstances, and personal healing path. We don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—we believe in honouring your story and your pace.

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Our Three Pillars of Transformation

1. Horse-Human Heart Resonance
   Through mindful interaction with these magnificent beings, you will experience genuine connection, emotional healing, and the mirroring of your inner state that only horses can provide. Horses sense our energy and emotions with remarkable clarity, offering us honest reflection and unconditional presence.​

2. Honouring and Living Off the Land
   We teach you to reconnect with nature—not as a luxury, but as a necessity for wholeness. Through hands-on farm activities, you will learn the rhythms of the land, develop practical life skills, and experience the profound healing that comes from working with your hands and being present in the natural world.

3. Recognition and Respect—For Ourselves and Others
   We create a safe, judgment-free space where you are seen, heard, and valued. Through this space, you will develop a healthier self-concept, rebuild self-respect, and learn to extend that same compassion and respect to others.

 

Behavioural Transformation & Personal Development

The AHA Wild Hearts Program is specifically designed to support you in three critical areas of personal growth:

1. Improving Behaviours
   Through structured activities and therapeutic guidance, you will identify behavioural patterns that no longer serve you and develop healthier, more adaptive responses to life's challenges. Working with horses teaches accountability, patience, and the power of calm, assertive presence. You will practice these new behaviours in a supportive environment and take these skills back into your daily life.

2. Rebuilding Self-Concept
   Many of us have internalised negative beliefs about ourselves—beliefs planted by trauma, failure, or the judgment of others. In this program, you will be invited to see yourself through new eyes. Horses don't judge. The land doesn't discriminate. Through their presence and through meaningful work, you will begin to reclaim your inherent worth and dignity.

3. Cultivating Discipline
   True discipline is not punishment—it is self-love in action. Working with horses and the land teaches natural consequences, consistency, and the power of showing up for yourself and others. You will develop the inner discipline needed to honour your commitments, maintain healthy boundaries, and build a life aligned with your deepest values.

 

What You Can Expect

Over your time with us, you will experience a carefully crafted blend of therapeutic activities designed to awaken, heal, and empower:

• 🐴 Equine Therapy: Hands-on interaction with horses in a safe, guided environment. Experience the mirror of emotional truth that only these beautiful beings can offer.

• 🌾 Farm Living: Learn practical skills, experience the satisfaction of meaningful work, and reconnect with the natural cycles of life.

• 📚 Spiritual Wisdom: Learn about spiritual customs and deep spiritual knowledge, and our connection to this sacred land and nature.

• 💭 Therapeutic Counselling: One-on-one and group sessions to process experiences, set goals, and develop personalised strategies for lasting change.​

 

A Journey of Transformation

Your program includes immersive sessions in a nature-based, supportive environment. Each session builds on the last, creating a progression from awareness to insight to integration. You will be supported by experienced facilitators who understand trauma, mental health challenges, and the profound healing potential of this work.

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Is This Program For You?

The AHA Wild Hearts Program is designed for anyone who:

• Is struggling with past trauma or difficult experiences.

• Is managing mental health challenges and seeking alternative support.

• Feels overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves.

• Wants to develop better coping skills and healthier behaviours.

• Is seeking deeper self-understanding and personal growth.

• Wants to reconnect with nature, authenticity, and inner peace.

• Is open to healing and willing to show up for themselves.

You don't need prior experience with horses or farming. You don't need to be "broken" in a specific way. You simply need to be ready for change and willing to be open to the possibility of transformation. We meet you exactly where you are.

 

Target participants

• Children, teens, and adults with trauma, anxiety, grief, overwhelm, or life transitions.

• Neurodivergent individuals seeking emotional regulation and social skills.

• Individuals feeling stuck, disconnected, or battling past experiences.

• Families, community groups, or teams for deeper understanding and resilience.​

 

Completely Tailored to Your Unique Needs

Every participant's experience is unique because every person's journey is unique. Before your arrival, we will conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand your specific needs, goals, challenges, and circumstances. During your time with us, your program will be customised to ensure maximum benefit and healing. Whether you need gentle, trauma-informed support or more intensive personal development work, we will adjust our approach to honour your pace and your process. You are in control of your healing journey.

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Location & Facilities

Hosted at Fellworth Farm, 161 Ferndale Road, Bundanoon NSW 2578, a 30+ hectare horse property in the Southern Highlands. Bundanoon, from local Aboriginal languages, means “place of deep gullies”, evoking the ancient landscape of valleys, hills, and biodiversity that supports grounding and reflection.​

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Equine-Assisted Therapy Approach

Utilising the EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) and AHA (Angel House Australia – Monty Roberts philosophy) model:​

• Groundwork only: Non-riding activities beside or around horses for safety and inclusivity.

• Facilitated by a mental health practitioner and equine specialist.

• Experiential, solution-focused, and trauma-informed, with horses as honest partners.

• Activities: Grooming, leading, liberty work, obstacle navigation, and reflective exercises (individual or group).​

Horse-Human Heart Resonance (from Wild Souls): Mindful interaction awakening emotional intelligence, empathy, and inner wisdom—horses mirroring participants' energy and emotions.​

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 Program Structure

• Duration: Weekly 60-minute sessions over 4–6 months (tailored to assessment, history, and progress).

• Format: Individual or small group.

• Session Flow:

  1. Welcome circle, grounding, and intention setting.

  2. Safety briefing and equine/land observation.

  3. Ground-based horse activities.

  4. Nature/gardening tasks linked to personal goals.

  5. Individual/group processing, counselling, and integration strategies.​

 

Evidence-Based Foundations

• EAGALA/AHA (Monty Roberts philosophy) Model: Experiential equine learning.​

• CBT & DBT Principles: Emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.

• Trauma-Informed & PTSD Practice: Safety, choice, pacing, and nervous system awareness.

• Attachment Theory: Relational trust through horses and facilitators.

• Life Coaching Principles: Co-regulation, goal-setting, and personal development.​

 

Anticipated Benefits

• Increased self-awareness, emotional clarity, and insight.

• Reduced anxiety/stress and stronger coping skills.

• Improved self-concept, worth, and resilience.

• Enhanced communication, empathy, and relationships.

• Deeper peace, grounding, belonging, and practical confidence.​

 

Facilitators, Safety & Evaluation

• Facilitators: Registered equine-assisted therapy professional and certified mental health practitioner, trained in trauma-informed care.​

• Safety: Strict horse handling, participant safety, animal welfare, and safeguarding protocols.

• Evaluation: Pre/post well-being measures, ongoing feedback, and referrer collaboration.​

 

What Participants Experience

Those who have participated in the AHA Wild Hearts Program report:

• Increased emotional clarity and self-awareness.

• Reduced anxiety and stress through natural, therapeutic connection.

• Improved self-concept and renewed sense of worth.

• New perspective on personal challenges and coping strategies.

• Deeper sense of peace, grounding, and belonging.

• Practical life skills and increased confidence.

• Meaningful connections with others on similar journeys.

• Hope and motivation to continue their healing journey.

 

"The Wild Hearts Program permitted me to step away from everything that was drowning me. After just three sessions, I saw myself differently. The horses knew something I didn't—that I was still worthy. That changed everything." (Jasmine MacKay-Smith)