THERAPY HORSE
Children's Books
Better known as Equine Assisted Therapy, when a horse and a person with special needs is paired together in a structured environment with a Licensed Therapist and a Certified Equine Specialist.
WHAT IS A THERAPY HORSE?
Equine Assisted Therapy has but one purpose; that is to provide horsemanship experiences to persons with mental, physical, and psychological disabilities in order to enhance the quality and productivity of their lives.
It may seem less like therapy and more like play, but equine-assisted therapy really can help those with physical and mental disabilities. While there is still ongoing controlled research on the subject, physical therapists progress notes, as well as reports from physicians, teachers, and parents testify to its benefits. These benefits include improved respiration, circulation, balance, and body metabolism along with greater muscle strength and agility. The warmth and motion of the horse mimicking that of the human body can also reduce muscle spasticity in the legs, back, neck and arms. Mounting, dismounting and grooming are also useful in enhancing range of motion. Click on the NARHA link for more information about the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.
Psychosocial benefits reported are improvements in self-esteem, self-image, and interpersonal skills. Many patients also become more outgoing and autistic children have been known to communicate spontaneously for the first time with a horse! Click on the EAGALA link for more information about the Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association.
The recreational nature of this type of program allows a source of hope for people with disabilities. They can leave the standard clinical setting and enjoy an independence they never thought would be available to them. While on a horse they are "normal", able to leave the bonds of their disabilities...they are free!
This site and the George The Therapy Horse© books are dedicated to the wonderful work therapy horses; horse handlers; and therapists do every day to improve the lives of their clients.
Therapy Horse Children's Books are available to organizations; schools and therapists as well as the general public. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Equine Assisted Therapy. Some book sale proceeds will be allocated to the Flint Hills Therapeutic Riding Center in Wichita, Kansas, as well as providing EAGALA memberships to qualifying applicants locally who have a desire to work in the field.
THERAPY HORSE CHILDREN'S BOOKS - Kathleen Timmermans Author
1635 S. Willow Oak Street Wichita Kansas 67230
Copyright 2009 George The Therapy Horse ©
