Special Needs Equine Therapy Internship in Bolivia

What is the Special Needs Equine Therapy Internship in Bolivia project all about?

Intern abroad on our specialised equine therapy for disabilities project and help to provide therapeutic horseback riding for disabled adults and children in Bolivia. The center is funded and hosted by Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, which is located about 30 minutes away from your accommodation. It supports both adults and children that are experiencing physical disabilities, mental disabilities or some kind of emotional distress. The center welcomes approximately 10 to 25 children receiving therapy on a daily basis.

Benefits of this type of equine assisted therapy are undisputable to people with special needs and with daily challenges that have experienced a trauma. Indeed, horse-assisted therapy is known to promote relaxation, coordination, muscle toning, confidence and overall well-being. The patients learn to control horses while riding which develops sensory and motor skills. Indeed, riding horses improve posture and balance as well as coordination. Also, equine therapy helps patients deal with their differences on a daily basis and learn essential life skill. “Standing taller” and being in control of an animal helps them accept their disabilities better, as well as teach them about themselves and trust the people and animals surrounding them.

The center helps the patients achieve their therapeutic goals as well the families providing additional emotional support.
Intern abroad on our specialised equine therapy for disabilities project and help to provide therapeutic horseback riding for disabled adults and children in Bolivia. The center is funded and hosted by Universidad Mayor de San Andrés. It supports both adults and children that are experiencing physical disabilities, mental disabilities or some kind of emotional distress.

Benefits of this type of equine assisted therapy are undisputable to people with special needs and with daily challenges that have experienced a trauma. Indeed, horse-assisted therapy is known to promote relaxation, coordination, muscle toning, confidence and overall well-being. The patients learn to control horses while riding which develops sensory and motor skills. Indeed, riding horses improve posture and balance as well as coordination. Also, equine therapy helps patients deal with their differences on a daily basis and learn essential life skill. “Standing taller” and being in control of an animal helps them accept their disabilities better, as well as teach them about themselves and trust the people and animals surrounding them. The center helps the patients achieve their therapeutic goals as well the families providing additional emotional support.

Why choose this Special Needs Equine Therapy Internship?

This internship is the perfect opportunity to get involved in a unique type of physiotherapy treatment. You will work with local professionals learning unique physical animal-assisted therapy techniques. You will work alongside with physical therapists and provide physical and emotional therapy to both adults and children with disabilities. You will gain valuable perspective through your own observation and the mentorship from the local staff.

When you arrive, you will receive training to assist in the therapy session, therefore, acquiring new skills. This internship will also help you acquire your own leadership and mentorship skills, as well as add a unique type of experience on your cv / resume increasing your desirability for future potential employers.

Role of the Healthcare intern

As an intern, you will assist to evaluate the patients’ progress and create lessons’ plans. Your role will be split between assisting with therapy sessions as well as lend a hand with the maintenance of the center and the horses. You will help patients work with a horse including mounting, dismounting, and caring for the horse with the goal in mind to help the patients gain confidence in the animal and help them learn to deal with their disabilities on a daily basis. You will assist to organise recreational, team building and educational activities for the staff, students, and families around inclusion, environmental and social issues affecting disabilities.
You will also need to help in the care and grooming of horses, stables and the surrounding areas.

Whats skills do I need to be a Special Needs Equine Therapy Intern?

Interns must love animals and more specifically horses for this internship. The ability to ride a horse will be an advantage; however, you will get adequate training upon arrival. Individuals with considerable experience with horses that can help care for, exercise and train up the therapy horses are welcome. Interns must be physically fit as the work can be strenuous helping patients mount, dismount, etc. A good level of Spanish (level B1 Intermediate User of CEFR or better) is needed to make the most out of this internship. You will be asked for a CV/Resume and to attend a telephone interview to assess your suitability for the internship.
Please bring a laptop with you to complete your final report.

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