Animal Therapy in Ecuador

About the program

This program is crucial to the lives of people with medical issues and disabilities in Quito. Volunteers undertaking this project will contribute their time and energy to taking care of the animals participating on the program, providing quality care and attention to ensuring the animals are well fed and cared for. They will also work directly with patients participating in the program. Hippotherapy (horses) and canotherapy (dogs) are recognized worldwide as an effective method for physical, mental and emotional rehabilitation. The goal-oriented program develops the patient's balance, coordination, orientation and rhythm, while giving them a sense of achievement and an emotional connection with the animal they are working with. Volunteers help care for the horses, as well as working with patients during therapy sessions. Without volunteers the sustainability of the program would be in question, with volunteers providing essential free labor to ensure the therapy sessions can continue to aid those who need it most.

Goals of this Project:

• Provide animal therapy sessions to those who need it most in Quito
• Improve the health and wellbeing of some of Quito’s most marginalized citizens
• Provide quality care to the animals participating in the therapy program
• Create inter-cultural understanding which benefits both residents and international volunteers

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Volunteer's role

Volunteers on this program will participate in a variety of tasks and can expect to:

• Help care for the horses and dogs involved in the program
• Prepare the horses for therapy sessions or sessions with the general public
• Assist with the equine therapy sessions and public horse-back riding sessions

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Requirements

Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to assist in the support and development of some of Ecuador's most marginalized children and young adults. While this highly rewarding project does not require participants to have a background in the field of special needs care, as there are many ways you can assist, volunteers with suitable education, qualifications or experience are highly sought after. Regardless, a volunteer’s individual role can often be tailored to suit their particular skills and interests. Volunteers on this project will need an understanding of Spanish in order to communicate effectively with the children and local staff members.