Therapeutic riding

The Lorane Unicorn Ranch program

The Unicorn program started in Hawaii in 1980. It relocated to Oregon in 1990, and has been active here ever since. The program was developed on a foundation of data, indicating that animals and humans have a special relationship, which is found to be therapeutic, both psychological and physical. Introducing pets to long term care centers, people with high blood pressure, and even prison inmates, has been shown to have positive effects on them. Children, particularly, benefit from developing skills in relating to horses and riding them.

In the group setting, students participate in exercises and activities, developed by the program. The activities are aimed at improving confidence and coordination, as well as, important daily life skills, like concentration, taking both winning and losing in stride, planning and followup, not giving up and always trying your best. Art and music are also part of self-expression, and communication. Participants learn to reconnect with nature, acquire more active life style and conquer video games and computer addiction.

Sometimes things are hard,
but sometimes the hard way is the right way,
because later the rest is easy.

Participants learn about the horses, including how to properly groom, tack, ride and control the horse.

I can feel the baby move!

Interaction with the horse helps to provide clients with a bonding experience. They learn how to make a "friend", and this ability can then be transferred to people. Relaxed by their gentle "friends", the clients become more open and spontaneous, disclosing information and feelings about family, school or other uncomfortable situations. The information is used by the therapist to plan treatment. In cases, where the client is also seen by an outside therapist, the information is relayed to the primary therapist.

Essential for group and individual activities, are the "sidewalkers". These volunteers watch out for the student's safety, help plan sessions and observe changes in students. They also help the therapist evaluate the effectiveness of the horse therapy. Older students, or family members, can become "sidewalkers", an arrangement that benefits them both.

Participants in our program are referred by physicians, local schools, self-referral or by other therapists. The program has both adults and children with stress related, as well as, a various emotional or physical problem.

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FACT SHEET

PURPOSE
To offer a communty-based program for stressed children,computer addicted and disconnected from natural world children and their families through art and play therapy and innovative animal facilitated therapy.
TYPE OF ORGANIZATION
Non-profit corporation.
FOUNDED
1980, Hawaii. 1990, Oregon.
MAJOR PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Improves muscle tone, balance, coordination, and motor development.
MAJOR THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS
Builds self-confidence, trust, responsibility. Goal setting, coping and communication skills, problem solving skills and cooperation.
OVERALL BENEFITS
Children and their parents learn to interact with one another in a positive way. Children develop self-esteem and those skills, which enable them to become productive members of society. Children develop pride in their accomplishments. In order to validate their accomplishments, the students are mainstreamed as soon as possible. Students then learn that they can fit in and be as good or better than others, in their social and equestrian skills.
AWARDS
President's award, First Lady award, Supreme Court awards, and Mental Health awards Mayor s award and many other awards. Also, volunteer of the year award candidate (United Way) and North American Riding for the Handicapped Volunteer of the year award for the Northwest.
AWARDS RECEIVED BY STUDENTS
Other than often, higher scholastic achievements, numerous ribbons at open United States Equestrian horse shows. Numerous show highpoints, as well as, state and regional championships, and Oregon Dressage Society year end highest-score awards for the year. 4 H shows awards.
STAFFING
Primarily Volunteers, 5-8 people
PRIMARY SOURCE OF FUNDING
Individual contributions.
DIRECTOR
Katarina Cernozubov Digman, Ph.D.
Author of many scientific articles. Director of the Women's Counseling Clinic, on the Mayor's advisory board for issues on women, state chairperson for HARHA for Hawaii, internship coordinator and supervisor and faculty for the universities of Hawaii, North Colorado, Antioch, Seebrook, etc.