The Rural Voice, 1997-11, Page 24Having a variety of
livestock is important to
the Martin Brodhagen
family of Perth County
over and above the
importance of providing a stable
livelihood. Most farmers take
note of their stock, but this family
pays special attention to how their
handicapped autistic son reacts to
the animals on the farm.
Almost everyone would agree
with Martin and Brenda
Brodhagen when they say a farm
is a good place to raise kids, then
they thoughtfully add: "Especially
kids with the problems that six-
year-old Bryan has." Martin and
Brenda admit that being around
animals has helped Bryan relate to
people better, and he's starting
Grade 1 this fall.
Brenda Brodhagen explained
Bryan goes to school all day
every other day and is totally
integrated in the school system.
Since they noticed Bryan had
problems with language at age
three, understanding and using
only 60 words, they've been
concerned about his progress.
"Even with all the problems of
heavy debt -load in farming now,
maybe being on the farm is best,"
says Martin. "I had thought of
quitting but what would I do?"
His labour-intensive mixed
operation means he has a great
deal of work to do, but it also
means there is a variety of size
and temperament of livestock for
his son to relate to.
After school, the Brodhagen
children, Amanda, eight, in Grade
4 and Bryan, head right to the
barn to do their chores.
This summer, a mother goat,
raising twin kids, was a point of
interest for Bryan. His job was to put
the goats and kids into the pen in the
morning and let them back into the
barn at night after feeding them
vegetables such as lettuce and
carrots. Like most children, he didn't
always remember to do his job, but
the goats did so well they won a
ribbon at the local fair.
"The goats were a godsend for
Bryan" Brenda says. "Animals are
non -judgmental. They don't have the
same expectancies that humans do."
They noted that Bryan liked to spend
THE LOVE OF ANIMALS
For the Brodhagens, farm animals
help their autistic son connect
with the regular world
Story and Photos by Sandra Orr
Cats, calves, goats, all the animals on the
Brodhagen farm, help Bryan develop attachment.
20 THE RURAL VOICE
a great deal of time around the goats
and calves. Unresponsiveness, lack
of affection and eye contact, and
problems with communication are
characteristic of autism. Autism is
rare, occurring in approximately two
to four children in 10,000.
Brenda is a supply teacher
specializing in math for area schools,
but she turns down much of the work
when she takes Bryan for therapy. "I
like to be available for Bryan,"
Brenda says.
Most of the success in his
treatment is because they noticed
early that Bryan didn't respond to
pain. He didn't react the way a
person usually would when he
grabbed onto an electric fence.
He didn't appear to notice the
jolt. Bryan gets speech and other
therapy for pervasive
development disorder or autism at
a centre for children.
Coming back home to the farm
is a relief for Brenda and Bryan
whether they are coming from
therapy or doctors' appointments.
They know that even though
treatments for autism are still
experimental, they are continuing
in a better way what the doctor
ordered. Researchers have shown
an increased sociability in autistic
children when pets or animals are
introduced.
In addition to goats, Martin
Brodhagen's farm near Brunner,
has everything from chicks and
ducks to pigs and cattle.
Setting up a viable farm took
time, money and patience. The
farm they took over 12 years ago
needed a great deal of attention,
but they fell to the work with a
sense that they were doing the
right thing.
They spent many thousands of
dollars to renovate their farm
home which hadn't been lived in
for 42 years when they moved in.
Part of the attention Martin
gave his farm was changing the
barn and building a drive shed.
Martin says his loose -housing
bank barn is set up for an
operation that can change in
numbers and kinds of animals, to
accommodate the various cows,
calves and skinny sows he feeds
to market weight.
Martin farms another parcel
closer to the village of Rostock.
The crops grown, mixed grain, corn
and pasture, are mainly to feed his
animals.
Martin has other jobs such as
helping at the local stockyard and
doing custom baling. He also helps
his sister out by baking at her donut
shop. The cattle relish the treats that
aren't sold at day's end. Hand-
feeding the cattle gives Bryan
another opportunity to observe and
care for animals.
Because Martin has many jobs
besides his mixed farming operation,
Bryan and Amanda must help their
mom Brenda with the chores, and
together they head for the barn. After