Arrow of Light Association

06/11/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Millie Forrestall for passing along this adorable little "Chick-Inn" to us. 🐥🏡

After serving a purpose during their own farming journey, it has now found a new home here on our farm, where it's once again filled with peeping chicks and busy little feet.

Our growing babies have recently transitioned out of the indoor brooder and needed a bit more space, and this cozy setup has been absolutely perfect for them. It's always special when farm items get a second life, carrying a little piece of someone else's story while becoming part of your own.

Some of these chicks and ducklings will stay here and continue to grow as part of our flock, while others will eventually make their way to new homesteads.

Thank you, Millie, for this fun handcrafted humble abode and giving this little Chick-Inn another chapter. We love knowing it continues to serve the next generation of feathered farm residents. 💛🐣

06/10/2026

Public Service Announcement from the horses of Arrow of Light:

"If we're laying down, please don't panic." 😂

One of the most common messages I receive is from concerned people who have driven by and spotted one of the horses stretched out in the pasture. While I completely understand the concern and truly appreciate people caring enough to reach out, I wanted to share a little horse fact.

Horses do sleep standing up, but they cannot get the deep, restorative REM sleep they need unless they lay down. A horse that feels safe, comfortable, and relaxed in its environment will often choose to stretch out for a nap.

Our yearling is especially guilty of this. If you've seen him laying flat out, chances are he's simply recharging so he can spend the rest of the day causing mischief. 🤣

Every phone call, knock at the door, or message does give me a bit of a moment of panic before I get outside to check, but thankfully every single report so far has turned out to be a horse enjoying a perfectly normal nap.

That being said, please never hesitate to reach out if something genuinely concerns you. I'd much rather receive a message and find out everything is fine than have someone stay worried. I take every concern seriously and appreciate everyone who keeps an eye on our animals.

📧 [email protected]
📱 902-814-4930

Thank you to everyone who watches over our little farm from the road. Your concern comes from a good place, and we're grateful for it. ❤️

06/08/2026

If someone had told us a few years ago that our therapeutic farm would one day be home to emus, I'm not sure we would have believed them.

The funny thing is, emus were always a dream—just not originally mine. This dream started with my partner, who had talked about these incredible birds for years. Once I was introduced to them, though, it didn't take long before I was completely hooked.

Earlier last year, I found myself following the heartbreaking ostrich situation in British Columbia. Like so many others, I spent months hoping for a different outcome—one rooted in science, facts, and compassion. Watching that unfold stirred something in me. It reminded me just how fascinated I am by these prehistoric-looking birds and how important they are as living pieces of our natural world.

While I wasn't quite ready to commit to ostriches, a visit to meet a friend's emus in Pictou County sealed the deal. One encounter was all it took alongside hours of research and countless questions. Their curiosity, intelligence, and quirky personalities won me over instantly.

We started this journey with four eggs from a wonderful farm in Hants County. Today, we have two thriving emu chicks racing around the farm, and three more eggs currently incubating. These newest eggs come from genetics near the Maine border, and we're crossing our fingers for some exciting blonde or white traits to emerge.

What started as someone else's dream somehow became one of my favourite parts of farm life. It's been a wild, unexpected ride filled with learning, anticipation, and more than a few sleepless nights during hatch season.

And honestly? I'm here for every second of it. 🖤🥚🦤

Who would have thought our little therapeutic farm would become home to some of the most fascinating birds on the planet?

06/03/2026

🎉🐴 Happy 4th Birthday, Nora! 🐴🎉

Today we're celebrating a very special mare who continues to teach us that growth looks different for everyone.

If you've met Nora, you know she's not the horse that's going to run up to every person looking for attention. She prefers to do things on her own terms. Some days she's curious and eager to connect, while other days she'd rather keep her distance and observe from afar.

Over the last year, we've watched Nora slowly grow into herself. She's becoming more confident, more curious, and more willing to seek out human interaction when she's ready. The best moments with Nora are never forced—they happen because she chooses them.

In many ways, that mirrors the journey of so many who visit. Confidence isn't something that appears overnight. Sometimes it grows quietly through small victories, gentle encouragement, and being given the space to move at your own pace.

As we celebrate Nora's 4th birthday, we're also celebrating how far she's come. From a young mare still figuring out the world to a soon-to-be mama preparing for an exciting new chapter, she continues to surprise us and remind us that growth doesn't need to be rushed.

If you'd like to help celebrate Nora's special day, we've shared a link to our Amazon Wishlist in the comments. Gifts are never expected, but they are always appreciated and help us care for Nora and all of the animals who call Arrow of Light home. 💌

Please join us in wishing Nora a very happy 4th birthday and leave her some birthday love below! 🎂🎈💖

06/02/2026

Somewhere along the way, many of us forgot how to simply exist without feeling guilty for slowing down.
We live in a world that constantly asks us what’s next, what’s wrong, what needs fixing, what needs improving — and after awhile, it becomes exhausting carrying the weight of always needing to move forward.

But the farm has been teaching us something different lately.

Not every moment needs to become a lesson.
Not every hard day needs to immediately become growth.
Not every silence needs to be filled.

Sometimes life is just meant to be lived one breath at a time.

Out here, things move differently. The animals do not rush through their days. They are present for every little thing — the warmth of the morning sun, the sound of grain hitting a bucket, the comfort of laying in fresh straw, the wind moving through the trees.

And maybe that’s why being around them changes people.
They remind us that peace can exist in ordinary moments.

A horse lowering its head into your chest.
The sound of sheep softly calling to one another.
A duck waddling across the yard completely unbothered.
The smell of rain on the barn roof.
The feeling of dirt on your boots after a long day outside.

None of it is extraordinary on its own, yet somehow it becomes everything.

We spend so much of our lives trying to outrun discomfort that we forget how important it is to sit with ourselves exactly where we are. Not every season will feel beautiful. Some will feel uncertain, lonely, frustrating, or heavy. But there is something powerful about no longer fighting reality every step of the way.

Acceptance does not mean you stop hoping for better days.
It simply means you stop punishing yourself for being human while you get there.

There’s a quiet kind of strength in learning to say:
“This is where I am right now, and that’s okay.”

No pretending.
No forcing.
No pressure to have all the answers.

Just allowing yourself to exist as you are in this moment.

Maybe today that looks like resting.
Maybe it looks like crying.
Maybe it looks like laughing harder than you have in weeks.
Maybe it’s simply stepping outside for fresh air and realizing the world kept turning even while you were struggling.

The farm reminds us daily that life continues gently forward. The grass grows back. Animals trust again after fear. Storms pass. New life arrives. Wounds close slowly over time.

Nothing in nature rushes itself, and somehow everything still becomes what it is meant to be. 🦋

05/30/2026

There’s something incredibly healing about watching life unfold exactly the way it’s meant to. 🌿✨

Over the last little while, our emu chicks have officially graduated from spending most of their time indoors to enjoying supervised outdoor time — and they are absolutely thriving. Watching them sprint across the grass with those tiny legs moving at lightning speed has quickly become one of our favorite parts of the day.

Many people don’t realize just how important outdoor exposure is for young emus. These early days are critical for strengthening their legs, developing coordination, building muscle tone, and exposing them to different textures, temperatures, sounds, and environments. Emus are naturally curious and highly observant animals, so every new experience helps shape their confidence and development.

What’s especially fascinating is how fast they grow. Emu chicks can grow up to a pound per week during their early months and eventually become one of the tallest birds in the world — reaching heights of nearly 6 feet tall. Despite their size, they are incredibly intelligent animals with distinct personalities and surprising emotional awareness.

At our therapeutic farm, moments like this are about so much more than simply “raising animals.” They become opportunities for grounding, connection, mindfulness, and healing. There is something deeply regulating about sitting quietly in the grass while tiny emus zig-zag around your feet, hearing the soft sounds of nature, and being reminded that growth takes time, patience, and gentle exposure to the world around us.

Animals have a beautiful way of teaching without words. These chicks remind us that confidence is built little by little. First small steps… then tiny runs… and before long they’re exploring the world with courage.

We often speak about healing journeys here on the farm, and honestly, watching young animals discover the world mirrors so much of the human experience. Sometimes growth looks messy. Sometimes it looks awkward. Sometimes it looks like wobbly legs and uncertainty before finally finding balance. But growth is still growth. 🌱

Our emu chicks have already melted our hearts and we love sharing their journey with everyone as they grow into these incredible prehistoric-looking birds.

Fun fact: emus can run up to 50 km/h as adults and have powerful legs designed more for running than flying — because unlike most birds, emus are flightless! Their fluffy striped baby feathers also act as natural camouflage in the wild to help protect them from predators. 🪶

Thank you all for continuing to follow along with the little moments here at Arrow of Light Association. The quiet moments on the farm often end up being the most meaningful ones. 🌾

05/27/2026

A huge thank you to The Yoga Lounge for their incredibly generous donation of $200 raised through their Yoga Nidra Under The Stars class in support of Arrow of Light Association. ✨🧘🏽‍♀️

This donation will go directly towards herd testing for our goats and sheep, helping us move one step closer to reopening our doors to the community. Every contribution, share, kind word, and act of support reminds us that we are not doing this alone.

We are beyond grateful for the compassion, generosity, and community support shown to our organization during this time. It truly takes a village, and we are so thankful to have people like you standing beside us while we work towards our goal of finding answers.

From the bottom of our hearts — wela'lioq / thank you.

05/24/2026

A huge thank you to the Lemonaid Stand Society & the Municipality of Colchester for inviting us to attend the South Colchester Connecting with Community — Meet Your Neighbors event over the weekend. We were so grateful for the opportunity to set up a table, share about our organization, connect with community, and of course bring along little Gracie. 🐑🩶

By the end of the day, Gracie was absolutely exhausted after melting the hearts of so many people. Watching the smiles, gentle interactions, and conversations she sparked was such a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do.

We do, however, want to gently reiterate something to the public regarding our farm and our animals. Our therapy animals are NOT for consumption. Gracie has her mama here on the farm and will live out her days strictly as a beloved pet and therapy animal.

Animals involved in our Farm to Table Program will always be clearly identified and housed in separate designated areas, while still being raised with the same level of dignity, compassion, and care. Visitors will always have the choice to either interact with or simply observe these animals.

We understand that operating both a therapeutic farm and a working farm may bring mixed feelings or differing opinions. However, as an Indigenous-owned organization rooted in our traditional values, we deeply understand the importance of food security, self-sustainability, and reducing barriers to accessing farm-fresh food. This program was created with the intention of giving back to community in a meaningful and respectful way.

While we respect that everyone may feel differently, this is not something up for debate. Every farm operates differently, and this is the path that aligns with our values, our mission, and the communities we serve.

Thank you again to everyone who stopped by to visit us, ask about what we do, and give Gracie some love yesterday.

📸 Credits: Joshua Denney

05/20/2026

Come see us this Saturday @ the Stewiacke Community Centre (1-4pm) to learn more about our organization & how we offer a holistic alternative to healing through animal-assisted wellness.

We're excited to be part of this upcoming collaborative event. Mark your calendars!

🎉 South Colchester Connecting With Community – Meet Your Neighbours! 🎉

Join us for a FREE, family‑friendly afternoon full of music, activities, learning, and connection! 🌍💛

📍 Stewiacke Community Centre
🗓 Saturday, May 23, 2026
⏰ 1:00–4:00 PM

✨ What’s Happening:
🥁 African Drumming – Drum Against Malaria (1:30)
🎤 Drag Bingo & Performance – With X (2:30)
💃 Dance Presentation – Truro Gidha Crew (3:15)
🎨 Ongoing Activities Include:
• Henna tattoos
• Learning to play Waltes
• Seed planting
• Assemble your own protein balls
• Pet a baby lamb 🐑
• Wheelchair curling & learning about “The Grit”
• Crafts, photo booth & community info booths
• Car seat installation demo

🍎 Light snacks provided & chances to win prizes and giveaways!

👋 Come meet your neighbours, learn something new, and celebrate community. Everyone is welcome!