Equine Assisted Therapy

The Champaign, IL-based Miniature Power program was launched to provide a fun and safe setting for children to interact with miniature horses. Located a few hours from Palatine, IL, the program was launched in 2019 by founder and director Sarah Nixon. Miniature horses make great therapy animals and are easy to train and handle. Children who have a variety of issues and disorders like anxiety, depression, attention-deficit disorders, and cerebral palsy can benefit from the miniature horse therapy program. The horses’ small size make them more approachable than regular horses, and children can easily walk with them, feed them, and communicate with them.

The program is a creative solution to address the rising interest in equine assisted therapy, an increasingly popular form of therapy that allows patients to connect with animals and build cognitive, social and emotional skills. Equine assisted therapy is suitable for both children and adults, allowing them to practice goal-setting, develop communication skills, and problem solving skills. Being around a therapy horse is a highly effective way to build multiple skills at once in a safe and relaxed setting. For many children who are going through struggles, interacting with a miniature horse lets them do therapeutic tasks in a simple way that is not intimidating.

Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy

When you go to Lotus Wellness Center and meet with a therapist who can tell you about Palatine equine assisted therapy, they can tell you about its many range of benefits. Therapy that involves horses is recommended not just for animal lovers, but anyone interested in being around animals and interacting with them in a way that allows them to build particular skills. Patients learn how to safely work with animals and learn to build a personal connection with them. There are a host of benefits aimed at improving skills such as:

• Stress management
• Anxiety management
• Communication
• Emotional regulation
• Building trust and connection
• Develop self-confidence
• Practice mindfulness
• Hand-eye coordination

Who Can Go To Therapy 

Anyone who is interested in equine assisted therapy can benefit from it. If you are comfortable around animals or you would like to learn how to be comfortable around them, you may find that equine assisted therapy is a good option for you. The therapist will be patient with you as they teach you how to properly be around horses and learn the essential tasks, like walking, feeding and grooming them. Patients can go through each session at their own pace and progress to increasingly more challenging tasks as they go through their unique treatment program.

Explore Therapy Options

For many children who have emotional issues, attention-deficit issues, or have special needs, equine assisted therapy is a fun and accessible program that enables them to build skills in a comfortable setting. Each session can be personalized to meet the specific needs of the child at their own pace. If you would like to learn more about equine assisted therapy, schedule a consultation at your nearest health and wellness center where it is available.