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!
