The initiative, part of the ‘Elefantes de Papel’ program, will offer twelve weekly sessions for children aged between 6 and 11. The aim is to combine therapeutic intervention with contact and care for rescued horses, thereby promoting participants' physical, sensory, emotional, cognitive, and relational development.
The Councillor for Family, M.ª Carmen Portugal, highlighted that this proposal addresses the needs of families with members with functional diversity. The sessions will take place at the Fundación Centauro Quirón in Murcia, and will be for groups of up to seven children on Saturdays, from October 31st to January 23rd.
Equine therapy will allow for working on different needs in a safe environment with specialized professionals. The president of Fundación Centauro Quirón, Pedro Ferrer, explained that objectives from disciplines such as psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy will be integrated within the equine framework. Sessions include an initial block of ground-level interaction and a second block of horseback riding, always with a respectful approach towards both the animal and the child.
A key differentiating aspect is that all horses are rescued animals, fostering a bidirectional relationship of care and collaboration. Fundación Centauro Quirón, a non-profit entity from the Region of Murcia, focuses on animal-assisted intervention and the rescue of vulnerable animals.
Interested families can request information and register by sending an email to familia@orihuela.es, providing the child's name, age, and specific needs. Registration implies a commitment to attend all sessions.
The ‘Elefantes de Papel’ program, which has previously included activities like adapted cinema and visits to the MUDIC, continues to expand with this new offering, aiming for the inclusion and improved quality of life for families with members with functional diversity.
