Bizz Buzz #2
There are a lot of animal assisted therapy programs, but none so unique as the "Mother and Child" organization. Their goal is to get mentally challenged children caught up to the "normal" mental capacity of a child their age. They use traditional therapy animals such as horses and dogs, but what makes them set apart is that they also have a dolphin rehabilitation program for children. According to them, swimming with dolphins is an excellent source of therapy; it is exciting, unusual, an adventure and relaxing. The dolphin lagoon is located in Florida, the environment is almost poetic, with the sun shining, sounds of dolphins, and warm blue water, it is impossible not to feel happy and relaxed when around these creatures.
I personally think that dolphins, dogs, and horses are amazing for children that are physically impaired or mentally challenged. A true story comes to mind; there is a teenage boy who has been blind from birth. Amazingly he roller blades, runs, and acts completely normal, you’re probably thinking, "He must have a companion animal", but he does this without the assistance of anyone or anything. He clicks using his tongue and listens for the echo back, just like dolphins use sonar to help them see. This boy found a connection with dolphins because he could relate to them. Even though this is not technically "therapy", he still developed a like for these creatures simply because they used similar communication patterns. I tell this story because if an independent boy can feel a connection with dolphins even though he is blind, then any child can spend time with these creatures and start to emulate their peaceful behavior patterns and self confidence as they slip through the water. Swimming with dolphins is said to be magical and a motivator for children. This is true in the case of Alex, who has cerebral palsy. When Alex was younger, his mom was told that he wouldn’t walk again and that he would be in a vegetative state. He has been attending Dolphin Human Therapy yearly since he was 3 years old. "Therapists are amazed to see the progress he’s made considering how damaged he is," says his mom. "It’s absolutely amazing." (Mother and Child, webpage)
As can be seen, these creatures of the sea have become a “lifesaver” for some families and the lives of their children. Who would have ever thought that one day we would be using mammals out of the sea to help small innocent children. I think this is an amazing concept and one that I hope will continue to grow and become a new alternative source of therapy.
Do you think dolphins have the capability of picking up signals of emotion from these children and acting more friendly towards them particularly?
Mother and Child Link: http://www.motherandchildngo.org/animal-pet-therapy.html
Bizz Buzz #1
Equine Therapy has been found to greatly improve the behavior and outlook of troubled kids and youth. I have a special interest in this because I had horses during the time that my family had a lot of issues, which affected the lives of my siblings and me. Being around the horses really helped me to escape reality for a time and feel what it’s like to spend time with something that doesn’t become angry at you and verbally lash out. I have found it interesting how these horses are exceptionally gentle towards certain children. Since that interest I have observed that horses have a connection with certain people, specifically those that have emotional problems, feel lonely, or really need something they can trust.
People have to earn horses trust and cooperation. At “Equine Therapy, animal assisted therapy” they will direct you to the closest Equine Therapy facility that will help kids learn the process of what it means to have trust and be trusted. These facilities let children interact with horses, it helps them learn patience and trust with the reward of cooperation. Equine Therapists say that being able to feel the rough main, soft nose and fuzzy fur stimulates the kids’ senses and helps bring them out of their introverted environment. Eventually after the kids are comfortable being around the horses they are allowed to lead and ride them. This is very good for teaching the kids that they must have patience to get results and acting kindly works much better than yelling and “going to extremes”. Most families that the youth come from deal with situations in an opposite manner. Some people may worry and ask, “Is it safe for my child to be around these large animals”? All these horses are usually older retired horses that are calm; they have also been trained and tested to make sure they are okay around kids.
Equine Therapy has only seen positive results, and the results are much faster than the routine therapy appointments where they are pressured and put on the spot to talk for an hour. Kids start to feel overwhelmed when they have to sit in therapy sessions all the time. They do not experience this when around the horses, instead it is and environment at their own pace where they are physically interacting with something where they see immediate results.
Do you think Equine Therapy actually helps troubled kids? Or is it just a myth that people believe who like horses?
