The influence of farm activities on the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities

This thesis presents a review of the literature on the subject of the influence of farm activities on the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. I tried to determine in what ways people with intellectual disabilities can work and relax on a farm, and how this activities influence their quality of life. I found that complementary activities on farms include various social services for people with intellectual disabilities, both in term of work and relaxation. In Slovenia, these activities are becoming known as “zeleni programi socialnega/ zdravstvenega varstva (green social/health care programs)” In this thesis, I describe in more detail the following social activities for people with intellectual disabilities offered as complementary activities on farms: live-in unites on the farm, horticultural therapy, and animal-assisted therapy. One form of animal-assisted therapy is therapeutic horseback riding, which consists of hippotherapy, therapeutic-pedagogic horseback riding and horseback riding for people with special needs. By reviewing the literature I came to the conclusion that work, relaxation and other activities on the farm have a positive influence on the quality of life of people with mental disabilities, especially in the intellectual and emotional area, as well as in the areas of socialization and physical activities. I believe these activities deserve all our support, seeing as the farms with their natural therapeutic potential (positive influence of plants, animals and surrounding nature on people) offer an optimal environment for integration of marginalized groups, one of which are also people with mental disabilities