Orihuela’s Family department has added an equine therapy programme to Elefantes de Papel, with twelve weekly sessions for a group of up to seven children with disabilities aged between six and twelve.
The activities will take place on Saturdays, from 31 October to 23 January, at the Fundación Centauro Quirón in Murcia.
Families can request information and begin registration by emailing [email protected], providing the child’s name and age, together with details of their disability and specific support needs.
This information will be used to assess whether the activity is suitable for each participant and to adapt the sessions to their individual circumstances.
Working with horses and riding activities
The programme combines an initial block of interaction with horses and their surroundings from the ground with a second block devoted to riding, according to foundation president Pedro Ferrer.
It aims to work on physical, sensory, emotional, cognitive and relationship goals through contact with the animals, caring for them and equestrian activities, with specialist professionals.
Areas to be addressed include coordination, balance, sensory regulation, personal independence and the development of routines.
Ferrer explains that the intervention brings together goals from disciplines such as psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy in an equestrian setting, while respecting both children and animals.
All the horses living at the foundation have been rescued, and their care forms part of an experience intended to give children a role as helpers to the animals too.
Commitment to attend
Registration entails a commitment to attend every session; an unjustified absence may result in the place being offered to the next family on the waiting list.
Family councillor M.ª Carmen Portugal presents the initiative as an expansion of Elefantes de Papel to respond to the needs of families whose members have disabilities.
The municipal programme began with easy-read activities and board games and has included adapted cinema screenings and visits to the Vega Baja’s interactive science museum, MUDIC.
The new edition also includes Cuerpo, Sentidos e Inclusión, an initiative involving movement, sensory stimulation and shared family activities for families with children with disabilities.
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