ARTHUR and Jodie Toms had nine kids before their youngest, Xander, was born just over three years ago, and always wanted to turn their patch of land west of Bowen into something special for disadvantaged kids.

Eighteen months ago Xander was diagnosed with ITP - an auto immune blood disorder - and plans for the animal therapy centre were put on hold.

ITP is a disorder that can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding. The bleeding results from unusually low levels of platelets, the cells that help blood clot.

"His ITP stopped him going to playgroup and playgrounds because of (possible) bruising and bleeding, so the the best thing we could do was to bring him down to play with the animals," Jodie said.

Six months ago he was also diagnosed with autism and was suffering a depressed outlook as a result of not being able to play like other kids.

But Jodie said it was Xander's interaction with their farm animals "brought him out of his shell".

"We have seen a massive improvement with his behaviour, because autistic kids have got a lot of behavioural issues," she said.

Seeing the positive change in their own son after exposure to animals has spurred the Toms to get plans for an animal therapy centre back on track.

Their farm is called Ody's Acres and the Toms have made an application for it to be a registered a not-for-profit organisation.

They want to help kids with disabilities, depression and learning and family difficulties.

The Toms also want to welcome the elderly and the parents who walk the same path as their kids in need.

"And we wanted to do it for free. We have got that many medical bills with Xander at the moment we didn't think it was fair to say 'come to our place and pay to see your child smile'," Jodie said.

The couple would like to open by January 14, 2017, but need the community's help to make it happen. They are calling for donations of mesh fencing, wire, irrigation equipment, grooming kits, bricks/pavers, a barbecue, gates, star pickets, shade cloth and crusher dust to make the farm wheelchair friendly.

At Ody's Acres you will find animals that have been rescued and most have been bottle fed and are very child friendly.

Resident farm animals are pigs, sheep, goats, horses, turkeys, ducks, alpacas and guinea pigs.