The founder of Lil' Steps Miniatures and Wellness Farm near St. Malo is one of four finalists in a video contest for entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Lucy Fouasse says she is honoured to have gotten this far in the contest.

“Lil' Steps Miniatures and Wellness Farm has been selected as one of the top four in the Just Watch ME! contest and it is actually a competition for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Starting February 1st, voting starts to see who will win this award. We are really excited to be selected for that.”

Lucy Fouasse and her daughterFouasse says Lil' Steps is a small farm that provides animal assisted counseling for kids and teens. She notes they do things like day camps, workshops, and even go into schools with some of their animals to teach children.

“It has been very successful, I have only been open for about a year and a half but my slate is full which is great. I have been able to really touch the lives of lots of kids to help develop confidence, self-esteem, different skills around leadership and social skills. It has been really an amazing thing.”

Fouasse says the farm is home to horses, miniature horses, miniature fainting goats, dogs, and even therapy rats. She says each of the animals teach the children a different lesson about how to deal with life around you.

Fouasse says around three years ago she had a serious head injury and her many animals help her with her ongoing recovery. She says she wanted to bring that to kids and teens in the Southeast. She notes the winner of the contest will receive $1,000 and a variety of business prizes valued at $5,000.