The Centre of Psychosocial Rehabilitation of the Feldman Ecopark started to develop asinus-therapy, the kind of equine-assisted therapy, in which a therapist animal is a donkey.
The head of the psychological service of the Centre Tetiana Aliieva told that the incentive to develop this rehabilitation direction, in particular, during the work with children with special needs, was the interest of the smallest visitors of the Ecopark to donkeys.
“They have character that differs from horses. It is easier for children to work with them: they get into contact with them faster and arouse more confidence. The versatile use of equine-assisted therapy (with both horses and donkeys), the experience in establishment of contact with various animals, the ability to consider their peculiarities allows children to form the wish to communicate, to interact with other people, to learn something new more quickly, and this influences positively on their emotional area. As for riding, donkeys have the other, gentler rhythm of steps than horses. It is closer to a human step, which also provides rehabilitation effect, improves balance, favours muscles’ strengthening and general stability,” Tetiana Aliieva notes.
“Such characteristics of the animal as the absence of impulsiveness, instinctive curiosity, open disposition to others, allows it to actively contact with children, ensure safe communication and provide therapeutic effect. The first experience of using asinus-therapy accompanied with the other kinds of rehabilitation of children with special needs demonstrate the increase of efficiency of rehabilitation procedures,” the head of the medical service of the Centre Inna Vashkite told. “The parents note the improvement of sleep, the decrease of aggressiveness and irritability.”
