Brudenell Miniatures Barnyard Zoo
Paul Matheson
Brudenell Miniatures Barnyard Zoo
Brudenell Miniatures Barnyard Zoo, owned and operated by retired paramedic Paul Matheson, has grown from a small personal hobby into one of Eastern PEI’s most charming and beloved rural attractions.
What began nine years ago with a single miniature horse — a gift for Paul’s granddaughter — soon blossomed into something much bigger. One animal became a few, and before long, friends and neighbours were stopping by just to meet the growing barnyard family. It didn’t take long for someone to suggest what Paul hadn’t yet considered: “You should open this to the public.”
For Paul, who spent his career caring for people as a paramedic and health-care provider, the idea made perfect sense. Looking after animals felt natural — grounding, meaningful, and deeply rewarding. And so, with encouragement from those around him, he took the first steps toward turning a hobby farm into a welcoming petting zoo for locals and visitors alike.
As Paul explored how to make his idea a reality, he reached out to the Rural Action Centre Montague. Through RAC, he connected with CBDC Eastern PEI, where he received a small loan to help transform his modest hobby farm into a fully accessible barnyard experience.
He also discovered something equally valuable: a team of local professionals who believed in his vision.
Through RAC and its partners, Paul received:
- Business lending support to help launch the petting farm
- Connections to the right programs at the right time
- Training opportunities, including social media courses that helped him promote the zoo
These supports helped Paul turn Brudenell Miniatures into a true rural destination — one that now welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
Now in its eighth season, Brudenell Miniatures Barnyard Zoo has become a favourite stop for families across Prince Edward Island and beyond. Visitors arrive from Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and — remarkably — more than 20 countries around the world. Many return year after year, bringing new generations of children to meet the miniature horses, goats, and other friendly barnyard residents. The farm has become a place where children experience hands-on learning, families make memories, locals proudly share a rural gem with visiting relatives, and travellers discover a slice of PEI they never expected.
Paul’s dedication, paired with the support he received through RAC Montague, has helped shape Brudenell Miniatures into a thriving, joyful, community-rooted attraction.
With eight successful seasons behind him, Paul is already looking ahead. He is currently developing a second children’s venue, with hopes of opening it in the new year — another space designed to spark curiosity, encourage learning, and bring families together.
It’s a testament to what can happen when passion meets community support.
For Paul, the value of RAC Montague is clear. “RAC is important to the community,” he shares, “because it’s run by locals who are willing to take a chance with ideas — big or small.”
His story reflects exactly that: a local idea, nurtured by local support, now enriching the lives of thousands.
Brudenell Miniatures Barnyard Zoo is more than a petting farm — it’s a story of heart, rural pride, and the courage to grow something meaningful from something small. It’s a place where animals are cared for, families are welcomed, and visitors leave with full hearts and muddy boots.
And thanks to the support of the Rural Action Centre Montague, Paul Matheson continues to build a destination that celebrates the best of rural Eastern PEI — community, curiosity, and the joy of simple moments shared together.
PHOTOS: atlantic360photography.ca