Animal Therapy for Children
Collytown Therapy Ponies are using ‘pony power’ with children who struggle with poor mobility, co-ordination issues, partial sight or mental heath problems such as anxiety and depression, working alongside occupational, speech or physical therapists to set specific programmes and goals. And at Gulworthy School, they have been taking an alternative approach to intervention particularly for children who struggle in the classroom, where they have been using the outdoors and nature to provide practical active learning that relaxes and inspires children to learn.
Chamaine and Alison at Collytown are more than aware of the benefits to children of what they call ‘pony power’. Although they have been offering therapy visits for some time, from May they have be offering specialised equine therapy programmes for people of all ages with special needs. After spending time at Collytown I couldn’t help but agree with Chamaine’s favourite quote from Sir Winston Churchill “there is something about the outside of the horse that is good for the inside of man”. It is amazing to see the children connecting with the ponies to overcome challenges and work through their issues. For children with behaviour issues, the ponies teach them to think of others and that animals respond to kindness. For children with physical needs such as cerebral palsy, the pony therapy means they can strengthen muscles and enjoy their physio-therapy in an exciting and alternative way.
At Gulworthy, led by teaching assistant Fran Walker, this specialist approach based on problem solving and decision making has led to children feeling empowered and confident learners which in turn benefits them in the classroom. From watching their ‘bats in residence’ on their ‘Bat Cam’ and recording wildlife with infra-red cameras to using the outdoors for practical learning opportunities, children have access to real life learning that calms them, engages them and makes them positive learners.
However, Fran says the whole school have access to the outdoor environment during their lessons which means that all children are given the opportunity to enjoy this nature loving approach. Children benefit from the school allotment, using camera probes to locate hidden ‘guests’ at their ‘bug hotel’ as well as time in their forest area. On the 23rd May the school started ‘The Bat Buddy School Award Scheme’ which will lead to them becoming a ‘bat friendly’ school.
To find out more about the equine therapy programmes go to www.therapyponies.co.uk and to find out more about Gulworthy see their website: www.gulworthyprimary.org and www.devonbatproject.org