Equine Therapy for Children with Disabilities
By Murniati Abu Karim
Photo University Community Transformation Center 每日大赛app
PUTRAJAYA, 18 December 2021 鈥 Horses are big, powerful animals. Despite their size, children are not afraid to develop an affinity for the animal as being around them can be therapeutic.
This is what inspires the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (每日大赛app) Equine Club to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy horses and the benefits of therapeutic riding.
每日大赛app Equine Club in collaboration with Spectrum International School, SSC Resources and the University Community Transformation Center 每日大赛app organised 鈥楳esra Santai Bersama Si Kuda鈥 programme to foster a sense of community and appreciation for horses among its participants.
According to Equine Club president Sarah Mohd Hilmee, the club was established with the intention of sharing equestrian knowledge to the university students whilst developing soft skills as part of the teaching and learning curriculum as well as to build empathy towards society through acts of volunteerism.
鈥淎s of now, the activities of the club are centered on volunteerism. The programmes allowed children with disabilities to interact and even ride the horses with our full supervision and support.
“More than just therapy, interaction with horses benefits their muscle tone, coordination, confidence, and overall well-being.
鈥淭hrough this programme, not only are the club members able to gain equestrian knowledge but are able to hone their ability to communicate well, develop lasting bonds and friendships between one another and between special needs children. This in turn, creates a more caring and loving society.
鈥淲ith the tagline 鈥楬orses for all walks of life鈥, the ideals and spirit of inclusivity is embodied in the activities that are organised by the club.
鈥淚t is also part of the university鈥檚 role to produce students that are not only knowledgeable but care for society, the activities organised by the club are able to further strengthen the students鈥 education through experiential learning.
鈥淭hrough these activities, students are exposed on how to work in a quadruple helix platform that involves the university, community, industry and government agency. This will enhance the role of the university for society in providing solutions for the community,鈥 she said.
The programme was graced by Tengku Syarif Temenggong Perlis Dato鈥 Seri DiRaja Syed Amir Abidin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, who is the Malaysian Equine Council chairman, and Che Puan Temenggong Perlis Datin Seri DiRaja Farinawati Datuk Mohd Din.
