What AWH Does

Two unique aspects of equine therapy offered at AWH are the immediacy or response and visibility of its effectiveness across various areas.

PHYSICALLY: AWH takes children with disabilities through a complex series of movements while the horse rhythmically moves the body in a manner similar to the human gait. This improves the children’s posture, balance and muscle control.

MENTALLY: AWH increases concentration, improves sequential thoughts and helps children learn to speak and develop spatial awareness.

EMOTIONALLY: AWH provides the opportunity for children to bond with the horse, instructors and volunteers, building confidence and trust. Contact with the horse and vaulting provides a non-competitive setting for learning where the children develop self-discipline and improve concentration. Most importantly, the sheer sense of joy raises their spirits and brings smiles to their faces

SOCIALLY: AWH nurtures a positive self-image. For the first time in their lives, children with severe disabilities often experience a sense of independence.

AWH serves children throughout the Los Angeles area with disabilities including—but not limited to:

  • Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Down syndrome
  • Cognitive Disabilities
  • Developmental Delays
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Spina Bifida
  • Congenital Disabilities
  • Chromosome Disorders
  • Paraplegia
  • Quadriplegia
  • Deaf
  • Seizure Disorders
  • Speech Disabilities
  • Blind/Visual Disabilities
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • and many more!