The empowering experience
Morning, about 8:30 a.m. On the gorgeous lawn of the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, under tall trees, stand two cute ponies with impressive manes of hair and beautiful long tails.
They are chewing hay, sometimes also making joyous snorting noises, next to a carriage in the care of the “therapeutic coachman” from the “Udi Challenging Riding” company.
Together with him is a staff member from the Medical Center — a psychologist, occupational therapist, or physiotherapist, who gives him the latest details about the particular treatment goals at this time.
The patient comes to the lawn, sometimes accompanied by a primary caregiver. Even before the treatment begins, the image before the patient — the horses, the carriage, the pastoral serenity — as well as the smell, the anticipation, and the excitement, are in themselves an experience and a kind of “pre-treatment,” quite enjoyable and unconventional.
The Patients
The patients can be children or adults hospitalized at the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center. What these patients often have in common are impatience and difficulty with persevering in conventional rehabilitation treatments, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological treatment, etc., provided at the Medical Center.
The treatment begins with an initial acquaintance between the patient, the coachman, and the horse. Depending on the physical, cognitive, and mental state of the patient at the time, it may happen literally by touching the carriage and petting the horse. Sitting in the carriage can be either in a wheelchair that is loaded and stabilized in a designated place, or in the regular carriage seat, depending on the patient’s needs. Next to the patient sits the coachman and sometimes also a Loewenstein staff member.
The group begins the journey following the orders given by the coachman to the horse. Sometimes the patient holds the reins and gives orders to the horse, under the guidance of the coachman and according to the patient’s abilities.
During treatment, the patient forgets about the pain, if any. The treatment combines several elements: physiotherapy, occupational and cognition therapy, communication, psychology, and emotion. At the end of the treatment, the patient smiles, feels capable and successful, elated, and “wants more.” These feelings are especially important for patients who experience a sense of helplessness and failure because of the event or illness that brought them to the Medical Center.
The empowering experience remains and is reflected even in the conventional treatments that take place in the therapy rooms, in better response to the treatment and reduced strain. The treatment is not included in the conventional basket of services.
The growing demand for this treatment, which is the first of its kind in Israel, requires increasing the frequency with which it is offered. Expanding it will allow us to meet our obligation of providing innovative care for our patients.
Cost Per Year NIS 730,080
Cost per 5 Years : 3,650,400 NIS
Dedication option
As a token of appreciation of your donation, we will be happy to create a dedication plaque in your honor with the name indicated by you
Partners
Clalit Health Services
We will approach additional donors if necessary
