Re: Horse camps for autism/TS and other animals?

[Guest guest]

It might interest you all to know that when I was part of arranging a Teen Camp for youngsters with Tourette Syndrome, we took them horse riding (more of a pony trek, actually!) the kids tics calmed down a lot and they had a real rapport with the animals.

Its something we have done since, and taken Tourettes adults too. There is definitely something about horses, dogs and cats that attract an understanding between our spectrum people and those animals? Ian just adores cats and he feels they are responsive to him. Our cats do seek him out and spend hours with him.

Interesting, isnt it?

Judy B, snowed in with a bored Asperger, Scotland.

Subject: Horse camps for autismTo: aspires-relationships Date: Thursday, 2 December, 2010, 5:53

Hi, I don't remember if I posted this since they updated their web page. They are now starting to have regularly held 'Horse Boy Camps' since getting certified. Anyway, I wanted to pass this along in case anyone is interested.

http://summitequineassistedtherapy.com/horses-and-autism/

Also here's a letter they received from a happy mom of a boy who previously would only scream at horses. But at this event not only sat on the horse for a short time but interacted with the horse and also said the word 'kick' which as some of you know is a big deal when your kid is 6 and not talking.

http://summitequineassistedtherapy.com/2010/11/08/we-are-onto-something-really-good-here/

Also they have video's up on u-tube of the Horse Boy Camps. This is part 1 but they also have other videos if you're interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr71ROiOerY & feature=related

[Guest guest]



I agree Judy! My friend who is starting this therapy center wants to eventually have a petting zoo of sorts on her place also to give the kids many different animals to interact with. My daughter has agreed to donate her Nigerian Goats when she gets that part of things going. :-) She (my friend) became interested in doing a therapy learning center because of people in her own life who have other diagnosis, not autism. She has several dogs roaming around and also cats.

I attribute a lot of my teen survival to the pets I had at the time! I used to go sit in the hay loft of our barn with about 6 cats sitting on me. (Sub zero weather!) And I spent a lot of time with my dogs, horses, sheep, rabbits.... those were my favorites... They really helped me relax and calmed my brain.

Jennie -just got rid of our snow in WA state

Horse camps for autismTo: aspires-relationships Date: Thursday, 2 December, 2010, 5:53

Hi, I don't remember if I posted this since they updated their web page. They are now starting to have regularly held 'Horse Boy Camps' since getting certified. Anyway, I wanted to pass this along in case anyone is interested.

http://summitequineassistedtherapy.com/horses-and-autism/

Also here's a letter they received from a happy mom of a boy who previously would only scream at horses. But at this event not only sat on the horse for a short time but interacted with the horse and also said the word 'kick' which as some of you know is a big deal when your kid is 6 and not talking.

http://summitequineassistedtherapy.com/2010/11/08/we-are-onto-something-really-good-here/

Also they have video's up on u-tube of the Horse Boy Camps. This is part 1 but they also have other videos if you're interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr71ROiOerY & feature=related