Providence Police, horses help kids with disabilities
By Kainani Stevens
The Providence Mounted Command horses can often be seen as intimidating when breaking up disorderly crowds – but they also have a softer side.
And now horses are being utilized by the Providence School System to help children with both mental and physical disabilities
There are many success stories of the Equine-Assisted Therapy pilot program. Some of the children battle with physical disabilities from conditions like cerebral palsy, but their weekly sessions with Dallas the horse help them long after they leave the barn.
Dallas belongs to Dina DeAngelis, an occupational therapist with the Providence Schools. DeAngelis launched the program last year allowing the Providence Police and Providence Schools to team up for this great cause.
The 6-week program takes place at the Mounted Command barn in Roger Williams Park. It gives kids the chance to ride, feed, and groom the horses on-site.
Lisa Devine-Keenan, Physical Therapist, says, “the motion on the horse mimics that of the spine and pelvis of a person with a normal gait and some of our children don’t have that but they get it when they’re on the horse. And we’re hoping that by continuing this it will help translate to their gait.”
The equine-assisted therapy has proven to be beneficial for many different kinds of special needs children including those with social, emotional and physical disabilities, proving that just a short time out of the classroom can leave a lasting impression on those involved.
“We have found the interactions with the horse really calm the children down and we have other children who are on the spectrum that get on the horse and have great results.”
The program is currently running off donations and is looking to raise funds to make this a year-long program.
(C) WLNE-TV 2015
