Provide HorseTHERAPY to 50 Nicaraguan Children

“My child can now walk, I feel like I need to shout this from the roof tops because the doctors said he would never walk and now after 6 months of Horse Therapy he is walking.”  Maribel, a mother of a child receiving Horse Therapy said in a celebration held by Special Families for the15 year anniversary of Horse Therapy in November 2017.  It was a special gathering of mothers, children and supporters.  This activity took place at the Saint Julie  Park of Stars.  A giant wooden horse swing which serves as playground equipment in the park was inagurated for all children. 

Gustavo Vallejos, Horse Therapist gave a presentation to share more about the techniques he uses and a testimony on how this thearpy has changed many lives. He talked about children gaining control of muscles that as a physical therapist he could never reach but with the movements of the horse he can make a difference. 

In October we posted the project: Providing Horse Therapy for 50 Nicaraguan Children, as part of our celebration of 15 years and to find a way to support the program economically. Since the posting of the project we have realized more than 350 sessions of Horse Therapy. We were able to transport the children weekly to the farm of Alvaro Reyes where he lends two of his thoroughbred horses to work with the 55 children who are currently receiving therapy.  “We will continue supporting Horse Therapy with Special Families as long as I am alive”, Don Alvaro Reyes stated in his testimony. The decision to lend his Finca and his horses was a family decision and he said that his whole family has been changed by the example of this program.  Seeing children improve week by week is amazing and good for the soul. 

There are many different types of DisAbilities which can be treated with Horse Therapy. Children who have physical disabilities benefit as well as children who are autistic and even deaf children benefit from this type of therapy.  One day a week all the students from the Special Education Primary Center Rayitos, receive Horse Therapy.  “ My students return calmer, and with more desires to learn “ one of the teachers stated.  When a child is healthier physically they can learn more in the classroom, but the Horse Therapy seems to help develop their brains  as well as their bodies.

Other children that attend Horse Therapy are from the more rural areas where not even physical therapy is available.  “I am so grateful to Special Families for having this type of therapy, otherwise my child would still be seated at home not moving a muscle, now he has control of his head and legs, slowly he is moving around more and more, it is worth it 100 times Really I have no other alternatives to help my child.” one mother who comes from a rural community concluded.

Links:

• horsetherapy explained by titled horsetherapist Gustavo
• horsetherapy in action
• story about special famlies