JAMES: I work with all kinds of birds,bats, lizards, snakes and crocodiles. I get to see Roman, who's my Red Tailed Black Cockatoo friend. I put my hand up onto him and he walks on my arm and sits on my shoulder.
[To Roman] Spin, Roman, spin. Good boy.
LAURA: My very first shift, I drove James to equine therapy and met Winter. The horse that James works with.
JAMES: That was the best day ever.
LAURA: Amazing.
JAMES For me I knew my love of horses.
LAURA: James was my very first client. I think we're a great team because we've got so much in common. We found our love of music together.
JAMES: I found my new love of juggling.
LAURA: It was really special to come to his equine therapy and watch James -
JAMES: Flourish.
LAURA [laughs] Flourish, flourish, and be so independent and be able to work with Winter. So well, and on his own.
JAMES: Because I've been through a lot of tough times, I reckon having them beside me all the time has made me better and strong and maybe have helped me become who I am today. It makes me feel happy and like, just set free makes my life a lot better because I get to express myself around animals. I get to make new friends that I can rely on as well. Like Winter.
LAURA: Everything's the best thing about James. He's just a top guy. Very interesting, very funny, outgoing.
JAMES: I couldn't say anything that's not special about her. Having her as my side friend makes my life a hundred times better than it was.
LAURA: Well, thank you.
JAMES: That's alright.
LAURA: I just help and support James to live his best life and challenge him with certain things to get him out of his comfort zone, but make sure he feels safe. Working with James is just like hanging out with a friend and having fun with a friend. Honestly, I don't feel like I'm working. Can't believe I get paid to come and hang out with James. That's awesome.
JAMES: [laughs] Ah, indeed. Because when Laura first started with me, I was very nervous to talk to her. So, she always said that whenever I need to talk to her I don't need to be nervous about anything, I can talk to her about anything and she's kind of helped me feel better about being open with her. We have an unbreakable bond.
Probably to become an animal carer or an animal taker. An animal whisperer.
LAURA: Mmm
JAMES: I can't explain the way he [Winter] makes me feel, it's just extraordinary that I have a friend like him that looks after me. Most of the time, I've always thought that people are best friends. But this guy right here and my horse, I usually work with, they understand me, and I'm glad.