Sunrise EquiTherapy

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Sunrise EquiTherapy \| UNL Class: Introduction to Equine Assisted Activities update from 2011

UNL Class, Introduction to Equine Assisted Activities returns for the 4th year !

A special note from one of our parents: Julie, Thank you for all the time and effort that has been put into this program. Our family could not be more grateful for this opportunity for Samantha. Your great credentials and commitment to this is really remarkable. I came last week and took a bunch of pictures of the kids riding. In every picture, the children, volunteers, and students are all smiling! That really says so much without saying a word. You and your students should know how much you have affected Samantha already.
Samantha has severe anxiety. It keeps her from sleeping at night, completing tasks and generally moving forward in her day to day activities. Since she came to the Meet and Greet, Samantha now visualizes riding Sparky as a technique to calm her anxiety. She recently bought a horse poster that she hung by her bed and she looks at it each night as she goes to bed. It helps calm her down and think about things that make her feel good. She told her psychologist this week that Sparky and her new friends (the students and volunteers) like her and make her feel good inside. So as you are feeling frazzled from your "work in progress", please know that there is a little girl that is literally "happier" because of you and a family that is grateful for your commitment. Sincerely, Lisa Alvarez
UNL Class, Introduction to Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy (EAAT) Animal Science Department/Equine Course Description: This 2 hour course acquaints students to the history and the current discipline of equine assisted activities/therapies as it relates to individuals of all ages with cognitive and /or physical disabilities through class discussions, speakers and hands on experiences. Instructor: Julie Wood, Executive Director of Sunrise EquiTherapy, Certified Instructor through PATH Intl', and retired Special Education teacher has taught the class since 2009. Teacher Assistant: Anna DeNell, nursing student, extensive horse experience/instructor Consultants: Kindra Fox,OT and Alex MacKay,SLP University students come from various areas of studies ranging from Animal Science majors to Speech Language Pathology, Special Education, Elementary/Middle School/High School Education, Journalism, Marketing, Business, Pre-Vet and Pre-Med. Some students have extensive horse experience and others learn as the class progresses. The class is a "work in progress" as UNL students learn how to assess the individuals with special needs that participate in the lessons. They are required to plan, write and implement the activities which reinforce the goals and objectives set forth by the IEP, treatment plan or parent. At the end of each lesson the team (UNL students) evaluates and gets ready for the following week. They find this part of the class challenging, but rewarding as they see firsthand the benefits of EAAT. The 8 weeks of lessons ends with a presentation of ribbons, trophies and photos. There is no fee assessed for clients. Sunrise EquiTherapy provides all the equipment used for the lessons and additional help which is staffed by Sunrise experienced volunteers. Sunrise assists in evaluating and conditioning the UNL horses for equitherapy. Upon completion of the 8 weeks of lessons Day Camps and Sunrise EquiTherapy lessons provide an extension of the UNL class. All clients that have participated in the UNL class, (past and present), are invited to attend a special Day Camp at Jensen Arabians in Blair(See Day Camps for information) Clients may apply to continue lessons through Sunrise EquiTherapy for the spring, summer or fall sessions being held at Windhoeck Farms.
Hands on activities with UNL students, clients, instructors and the special equine friends






Congrats to Julie for her hard work designing the curriculum for Introduction to Equine Assisted Activities!
Animal Science Complex Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
	Animal Science courtyard	Animal Science courtyard
Photos are of Sunrise client Rachel and her mom Sally Moon. They visited the class and answered questions relating to Rachel's disability and how her riding experiences have impacted her life over the last 4 years. Rachel gave a demonstration to the class on grooming, safety, tacking up, riding at a walk and trot.


UNL Class and Sunrise's miniature therapy horse, Lucky Boy.