Donkey therapy
What is Donkey therapy?
Donkey therapy is directed at children that are mentally and/or physically disabled. The therapy consists of the implementation of different exercises depending on each child and on their level of disability. Some of the children are able to ride on the donkeys back and others in the carriage, during this exercise the children are presented with other objects with which they interact.
The physical and emotional benefits that the animals offer to the patients have been recently recognised in psychiatric hospitals and residential homes for the elderly. It has been well documented that the animals have a calming effect on the patients.
Furthermore donkeys are the centre of attention for the children, even the most agitated, nervous child becomes calmer when stroking or talking to the donkeys. A secret shared with a donkey will never be revealed, as it may be if it were to be shared with another human.
Learning new skills in a therapy session with the donkeys in a safe and affectionate environment is also very enjoyable. The achievable and accessible goals set in each session of donkey therapy motivate the children, causing their self-esteem and confidence to grow, which most of the time lacks in so many of the children.
Specially chosen and trained donkeys
Although the majority of the donkeys suffer with the scars, both mental and physical of their hard past, some of the donkeys collected are young, healthy and with their calm character they become suitable to work with people and children with special needs.
The chosen donkeys are trained for the job as a therapy donkey, so that they become accustomed to the saddle and/or cart, teaching them to load and to unload from the lorry and/or horse trailer. They are also trained so that they are used to loud noises, fast and startling movements, unexpected situations etc. on the whole making the behaviour of the donkey totally predictable and safe for the user.
A free service that with your help is possible
Donkey therapy is free to the user; we do not charge anything to join the therapy program. The required expenditure to provide this service is effectively budgeted for and the Association El Refugio del Burrito assigns the necessary amounts for its implementation, deducting them from the funds raised in Spain.
Your help is very important
To help raise funds to continue our work with these special children, please make a donation. By doing so, you will help pay for two sessions of donkey riding therapy.
The result of much work and love
Submitted by Rafael Benjumea on Mon, 19/12/2011 - 13:41
Not a month ago, some workers at El Refugio del Burrito thought it nice and interesting that we participated in a Project from the Andalucian TV Station "Canal Sur Televisión", whereby anyone could send a video that would later be broadcast in the station to wish Andalucía a very merry Christmas.
Córdoba News
Submitted by Rafael Benjumea on Fri, 04/03/2011 - 12:45
Our Donkey Assisted Riding Therapy Programme for Children with Special Needs at Córdoba Zoo is continually growing. More than 244 children are now enjoying the palliative effects this type of Therapy offers to its users. The Riding Therapy Sessions are still offered free of charge for all those involved, of course.
Bartolo, student of the year
Submitted by Ivan Salvia on Thu, 23/09/2010 - 12:00
Bartolo is a gorgeous looking, hard working donkey. He came to us from another charity, CYD Santamaría, that deals with horses. They had found him abandoned in the Guadalhorce Valley area, near Málaga, wandering around aimlessly.
Ever since his arrival to El Refugio del Burrito he has turned his life around and now has decided to complete his studies with a degree in Donkey Assisted Riding Therapy for Children With Special Needs, and has already won an award to go and work at Córdoba Zoo, where fellow therapist Carmelo is retiring after working with children for the past two years.
Visiting Alhaurin de la Torre with our therapy donkeys
Submitted by Ivan Salvia on Thu, 08/04/2010 - 09:28
Thanks to our Donkey Assisted Riding Therapy Mobile Unit we are able to carry out Donkey Assisted Activities within the Málaga province and on friday 26th of March we set off for two centres in Alhaurín de la Torre (Málaga), where we were visiting the Early Care Centre and the Day Centre for the Elderly in Alhaurín.
Norman helps Alex
Submitted by Ivan Salvia on Thu, 18/03/2010 - 09:51
In spite of centuries of being belittled by popular beliefs and misconceptions, donkeys have proven to us all just how much they can teach us. Alex is a very special boy, affected by Autism. He is now 14 years old. He began attending our Donkey Assisted Riding Therapy Sessions at Córdoba Zoo two years ago. Alex was a very energetic, yet a very shy boy. He was always afraid of engaging in any kind of new activity, and was reluctant with physical contact... until he met his new Therapists.
Riding therapy volunteers
Volunteering for our Donkey Assisted Riding Therapy sessions is a truly rewarding task. You will be helping so the session runs smoothly, either by helping children on the donkeys or setting up the arena and clearing the area after the session.
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