The healing power of horses

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People in our Mission Australia Residential Rehabilitation Treatments Service (MARRTS) have received assistance from an unlikely source.

Working with Marc Gallagher of Yarraman Territory, a leading equine therapy provider, our residents at MAARTS have enjoyed fortnightly sessions with horses.

Since the program’s conception in January, over 20 vulnerable people have had the opportunity to work with majestic horses.

Each session involves a combination of learning to ride and care for the horses through grooming, feeding and saddling.

The horse therapy program has had positive and transformative impacts on each participant, helping them overcome anxiety, improve their mental health and practice valuable non-verbal communication skills.

One of the first participants said that equine therapy helped her overcome a fear of heights and more.

“I was afraid of heights, but I was also afraid of the horse itself—the fear of putting trust into something other than myself was scary,” shares one participant.

MARRTS Program Manager, Natasha, says that the program has demonstrated significant improvement in the emotional wellbeing of our residents.

“We are providing a unique service to help our clients in their journey to healing and recovery,” says Natasha.

“Working with horses helps our clients process their feelings and learn how to develop trust.”

The MAARTS team in Darwin support vulnerable people with alcohol and other drug dependencies through case management, advocacy and referrals to other support services.

Thanks to the Northern Territory Government, residents at MAARTS are learning how to overcome anxiety and other emotional challenges.