By Jeremy Sollars
Warwick is known for its love of horses, and from this week a new not-for-profit initiative will tap into the positive healing power of horses to help at-risk young people in our community.
‘Reason To Thrive’ will be launched this Friday 10 March and will offer “equine-assisted communication and body language training” to disengaged young people in what is a growing therapeutic movement in Australia.
Program facilitator Robyn Wickham says equine-assisted therapy offers “an opportunity for at-risk youth to engage on an entirely different level than in a traditional therapeutic setting”.
“Through learning basic natural horsemanship ground skills – no riding involved – clients develop patience, trust, self-confidence and self-awareness,” Robyn said.
“This necessitates emotional regulation and reduces aggressive behaviours, with an improvement in individuals understanding their own body language and communication patterns.
“For those who have lost hope and trust in other humans due to traumatic events or trauma a horse provides an honest partner, often mirroring back emotions, providing feedback on our emotional regulation.
“Financial hardship, family break-down, behavioural problems and lack of engagement in school and the community are some of the issues faced by youth in Warwick and the Southern Downs.
“Anxiety and depressive symptoms can occur when navigating home relationships and friendships at school and work, resulting in low self-esteem and self-concept.
“Difficulties with emotional dysregulation and bullying are other areas impacting on the mental health of our young people.
“Reason to Thrive will be supporting a recovery framework.
“I will be combining my enthusiasm for young people and horses and my knowledge of therapeutic concepts within this growing area with a renowned, results-based program, to assist young people into a functional and fruitful life.”
Robyn – who also works as a teacher’s aide in the special education unit at Warwick East State School – has been working with youth and family services including Red Cross Youth Support Service and the Department of Communities, Child safety and Disability Services, and says she has “witnessed the transformation that the equine contact can provide”.
The youth program Reason to Thrive Inc. is proudly supported by Thrive Equine Experiences and assisted by a Southern Downs Regional Council funding program.
The program consists of three sessions, usually one per week for three weeks, and no previous experience with horses is required.
Thanks to the SDRC’s funding, a limited number of subsidised positions in the program are available to young people between the ages of 8 and 24 years.
The program will officially be opened by Federal MP for Maranoa David Littleproud on Friday 10 March, at Thrive Equine Experiences, 153 East Street, Warwick.
For information on how to access the program or if you would like to attend the opening, contact Robyn on 0428 664 139 or log on to www.thriveequine.com
