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Aimee’s Farm: How Standing Up for Animals Without a Voice Helps Save People, Too

Story by Rebecca West

Described as a healing sanctuary for animals and differently-abled humans, Aimee’s Farm Animal Sanctuary in Queen Creek has made it its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, re-home, and spread awareness of farm animals in need while creating a soothing environment for people facing various physical and emotional challenges. Not handicapped or disabled. Just differently abled, and we love the distinction.

A nonprofit, its focus is on neglected special needs animals and those saved from exploitation and/or death in connection to the meat industry. A vegan herself, Aimee Takaha is proud to note that the picturesque 5-acre farm has been voted one of the Top 10 Animal Sanctuaries in the U.S. by Veganuniversal.com. Filled with positive energy, the haven features lovely shade trees and lots of grassy spaces to roam, as well as a large arena and sensory pens for the critters fortunate enough to call the place home.

In recent years, Aimee and the residents there have been featured in National Geographic, People magazine, and Woman’s World. They also visit care homes to spread the love.

As of this writing, 67 livestock animals reside there, including pot belly pigs, Kune Lune pigs, and one 700 lb. hog. There are also donkeys, one of which is known as a world-famous painting donkey, alpacas, goats, sheep, cows, horses, and even mini horses. There are also rabbits, dogs, cats, and fowl such as turkeys, chickens, and ducks living in peace on the spacious plot of land. All of it was created with one thing in mind: “so animals of all capabilities can live a joyous life while creating an amazing sensory-driven environment for all humans.”

And they’ve really managed to do that. Visitors can hug and snuggle friendly and affectionate cows, rub piggy bellies — an activity they apparently love — and feed hungry tummies, of which there are obviously many. You’re even allowed to bring produce to feed selected animals if you want to help out. Just be forewarned you are in for a lot of love that entails seemingly endless kisses, snuggles, and warm welcomes all around.
For a bit of backstory, before the sanctuary got its start, Aimee was surfing the internet one day when she saw a pig named Petunia on Craigslist. She decided to adopt the personable porker and was floored to discover just how intelligent the creatures really are. After Petunia learned more than 20 commands in only a few months, Aimee was prompted to go down the rabbit hole on all things swine-related.

The more she researched, the more she knew her life’s mission was to save, rescue, and rehabilitate pigs and animals everywhere, hence the creation of Aimee’s Farm Animal Sanctuary. Petunia has since passed, but Aimee credits her with opening her heart.

Describing herself as a trauma survivor with PTSD, as she began rescuing animals many years ago, she noticed that her PTS episodes were becoming less and less frequent. Before long, she had visitors arriving with children diagnosed with autism depression and other issues. Parents began messaging her to ask if they could bring their kids back, as they’d never seen them so happy and calm as they were after their visit.
“People were leaving animals on my doorstep before I was even a 501C3. I would awake to find horses in the front yard tied to trees and pigs left in boxes,” she explained.

As she learned the behaviors of the animals left in her charge — their intelligence, problem-solving skills, and emotional capacity — she soon went vegan and began a mission to spread awareness concerning just how truly sentient animals are and how crucial it is for us to protect them. Focusing on the most vulnerable, she grew to consider them as family and observed that they were helping people with similar handicaps by inspiring and motivating them.

“Along the way between my farm chores, I would lay with the cows and hug them. I felt such peace doing this. I began offering cow-hugging sessions. People have come from all over the world to hug our cows. They bring tears of joy to your eyes and a warmth in your heart that is an experience like none other.”

Not all cows enjoy hugging but those that do are the ones involved with the therapy sessions that take place there. They include one-on-one visits or groups and help to build confidence in many ways. Aimee feels she owes them her life.
#4 Scooter
One of the farm’s most popular residents is a sweet and stylish goat named Scooter, who came to the farm from Utah when no other sanctuary was willing to take him. That’s because he was born paralyzed and requires a set of wheels to get around. Aimee and her crew, however, did not hesitate to take him into their hearts and note that Scooter’s physical challenges don’t stand in the way of his being the top goat on the property. He’s soon to be featured on the Netflix special The Wizard of Paws with prosthetics expert Derrick Campana.

As a nonprofit, you can imagine how important and necessary volunteers and donations are to properly run the place. So, if you can help, please do. For tour or therapy information and more ways to help, like building a new barn, visit aimeesfarmanimalsanctuary.org or call (480) 539-4245.

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