SOCIETY

CIVIL SOCIETY: 269 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

Equine Assisted Therapy and Activities (EAA).

Equine Assisted Therapy and Activities (EAA).
SUBMITTED FROM:

THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION OF GREECE

Therapeutic Riding Association of Greece is a non-profit organization, established in 1992 in Athens, which main goal is to improve health and quality of life of the disabled by therapy and rehabilitation assisted by the horse. 

 

Read more: www.trag.gr


Contact

Objective Action

Education and therapy for people with disabilities are the main goals of this form of treatment strategy and the improvement of quality of life via what horses-partners offer through their nature. Among others, it increases the functionality and personal autonomy in activities of daily living such as self-care, productiveness and entertainment and also their participation and commitment in peer groups at school sports and work.

 

Target Audience

  1. People from two years old and over diagnosed with Developmental disorders, for example, Autism, Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and so on.
  2. People diagnosed with neurological conditions resulting in physical disabilities, neuromotor or musculoskeletal impairments, such as Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebrovascular Accidents (strokes), Spinal Cord Injuries, Muscle Dystrophy and so on.
  3. Children and adults diagnosed with Emotional Disorders, social inclusion difficulties or Behavioral Disorders.
  4. People diagnosed with Mental Retardation and Down Syndrome, as well as Sensory Impairment Disorders such as blindness, deafness and so on.
 

Duration

TRAG has been in the field of therapeutic riding since 1992 and, while the action is the same-equine assisted therapy, the structure and applications are always in progress. Sessions begin in September and last till June per year, once or twice a week,


Description

Equine assisted therapy is a treatment strategy which develops and improves certain skills that people with disabilities lack. These skills are essential for the patients to reach functional outcomes and achieve as great as possible their personal autonomy and social inclusion in daily life. The equine partner helps the therapist address the physical, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial needs of each patient that are necessary in activity areas such as self care, participation in school and work, utilization of free time (fun, friendships). Sessions are individually or group organized, including mounted activities (riding & vaulting) and/or unmounted activities such as horse grooming and horse management, depending on the patients’ needs. Patients are able to benefit from the special attributes of the horse, the quality of equine movement and character. Particularly, the horse has a three dimensional pelvic movement at the walk, that is similar to the movement of the human pelvis during walking.  Through riding, the sensory/motor input from the horse's pelvis sends impulses to the central nervous system of the patient. The central nervous system integrates this information and new motor pathways are formed. At the same time, horse’s increased body temperature helps the patient with a physical disability achieve muscle relaxation and exercise effectively. Through the horse grooming procedure, clients, get the chance to gain various sensory and psychomotor benefits, by touching the horse’s body and coat and experiencing various textures of touch feeling. The horse’s environment and good behavior are always strong motivators and at the same time provide the proper model of social interaction. The sociable but demanding character of the horse educates the clients to create bonds with other people and behave in a functional manner for them and the others. Also, the horse management on its whole, as well as the training that people with disabilities get next to horses, give a great opportunity for cognitive education, learning of structure and organization, and of course, self development (self-awareness, self-confidence and self-esteem).


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Impact on Society

The range of positive results is large since the skills on which horses can have an impact, vary greatly. Through skill development, people with disabilities are able to get the greatest degree of autonomy possible, for their independence, interaction, communication and cooperation with others, thus, for their social inclusion. There is an improvement in their general performance and functionality in places where they live and act. Thus, not only themselves, but also family members, caregivers and others, and patients themselves as well, get relieved. In particular, by improving-developing gross and fine motor skills, people with disabilities become capable of feeding and dressing up themselves and organizing their personal space. By improving their gait pattern,  they become capable of taking care of their personal hygiene and moving in and out of their place of stay, work or education. By learning to be focused on a task, they are able to attend school, easily,  get integrated and make progress in the learning procedure. Due to the opportunities for socialization and effective interaction that they have in the horse setting, human needs are met, and communication with their whole environment (relatives, classmates, teachers, friends) becomes possible. Moreover, being emotionally developed and balanced, makes people with disabilities capable of dealing with life difficulties, and being satisfied by themselves and their personal effort. Finally, as a result from equine assisted therapy and all of the above, people with disabilities gain self-confidence and self-esteem that are so important for them, since they are challenged and many times, excluded persons.



Initiative Location

Therapeutic Riding Association of Greece, 10 P. Kanellopoulou Ave. 11527 Goudi.


Working with Organization

TRAG cooperates with schools, institutions, boarding houses and day centers.

Some of them are: ELEPAP, EPSYME, “THETIS” Community Home, “ANASA” Boarding House, Special Education High School of Ilioupolis, «AMYMONI» Association.


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Workers Participation

All the employees who take part in the program are qualified professionals, specialized and certified in Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy. The professionals employed are: one Physiotherapist,  three Psychologist, one Trainer of Special Education and one Horse trainer. Each client’s evaluation, as well as their progression in therapy is followed by the multidisciplinary therapy team. The implementation of the sessions is done only by the certified therapists, with the contribution of trained volunteers in assisting positions that ensure horse’s management, according to each individual’s needs. The 24-hour presence of a stableman ensures the good health of the equine partners. Also, the horse trainer takes care of their special and consistent conditioning, so that they can be beneficial for all people in treatment. 


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Benefits for Οrganization

The dissemination of the value and effectiveness of Therapeutic Riding in the public audience so as it can be accredited by the state as an official therapy which will be covered financially by the public insurances, making life easier to disabled and their families. Also through the accreditation, its implementation will be secured by certified and reliable organizations, which will have the proper education.




Connection with Global Goals






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