{"id":7426,"date":"2018-03-07T07:42:50","date_gmt":"2018-03-07T07:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/?p=7426"},"modified":"2018-03-08T10:50:03","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T10:50:03","slug":"horses-program-helps-children-develop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/news\/horses-program-helps-children-develop\/","title":{"rendered":"Horses program helps children develop"},"content":{"rendered":"

ROBERT Hutt says volunteering for Riding Develops Abilities is a very rewarding experience, and that he gets more out of it than the children.<\/p>\n

A volunteer for three years, Mr Hutt retired from a business executive position and wanted to give something back to the community.<\/p>\n

Riding Develops Abilities, based at Koombahla Park Equestrian Centre in Wallington, is a not-for-profit organisation that enables individuals with a variety of disabilities, ages and backgrounds to develop independence, a sense of freedom and to reach their equestrian goals, through adaptive coaching techniques and equipment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about riding horses, it\u2019s about understanding the varying disabilities, including degree and cause, and we get a fairly comprehensive profile of the kids so we can provide the appropriate level of horse riding for them,\u201d Mr Hutt said.<\/p>\n

Betty Minogue has been a volunteer with Riding Develops Abilities for the past 15 years and said she absolutely loved it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kids are fantastic\u2026 when some of them come here who are on the autism spectrum, they won\u2019t even look at you, but after a couple of weeks they are looking and talking to you, I have some kids who come in and they run up and give me a big hug, which is lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ms Minogue said the program suited children of various age groups, including one as young as three years old, and one as old as 19.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the years I\u2019ve seen a lot of kids and it\u2019s sad to let them go.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get as much out of it as the kids do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students from local schools take part in the program on a weekly basis, including Leopold Primary School.<\/p>\n

Student support teacher Sandi Collier said the program allowed the kids to build their confidence, core strength and co-ordination.<\/p>\n

Riding Develops Abilities is always looking for more volunteers. For more information, phone Helen Buckley 0475 768 089 or Susan Dodson 0409 931 384.<\/p>\n