Description

Our Equine Therapy project combines elements of both care work and animal care and is open to volunteers taking a gap year, career break, or who want to spend their summer abroad. You do not need any specific experience to volunteer on this project; however an interest in horses and enthusiasm to work with vulnerable children and adults is important.

Volunteers on the Equine Therapy project will help both adults and children rehabilitate from emotional and physical problems through a therapy program that involves working with horses. A trained horse can aid the recovery of patients by forcing the patient to focus on movement, spatial orientation, posture, language and muscle control.

Volunteering abroad with horses on the Equine Therapy Project in Argentina

The aim of the equine therapy center is to offer a better quality of life to patients and also to offer horse riding as a recreational activity.

The project involves three elements. First, you will help look after the horses by feeding, cleaning, brushing etc. Second, you will actively participate in the classes, helping the children and adults learn to ride, taking lessons and depending on your skills and experience you may have the opportunity to compete in tournaments. Finally, you will receive daily contact with the patients and attend classes to learn the theory behind the therapy in order to apply it when working with the patients.

Your role will therefore vary each day, offering a diverse range of experiences and work to become involved in. The effect of the therapy varies with each patient; however, by displaying enthusiasm and a passion for horses you can play a part in their enjoyment and help to create a positive experience. Your very presence will help to make each session enjoyable - which is vital to maintaining the interest of the children.

An intermediate level of Spanish is required for this placement to ensure that you can interact fully with the local staff. You will receive guidance not only from the Projects Abroad staff, but also from your supervisor at the center.

Highlights

Whether you are a student joining us before going to a medical or dental school, or already have medicine and dental knowledge and experience, the doctors and dentists in Argentina are keen for you to learn from them. Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn - and also to help staff with their duties - will ensure that your experience is second to none.

Due to the inter-personal nature of the work, this placement is an excellent opportunity to practice your Spanish.

For your accommodation, you'll live with a Spanish speaking host-family, which is great environment for developing and improving your language skills. All the families involved are extremely supportive of the projects carried out by Projects Abroad and are keen to experience an intercultural exchange and learn about the lives of volunteers. There is so much to do in the area, and there are always plenty of other Projects Abroad volunteers, from different projects, to explore it with!

In addition, this project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications

Intermediate Spanish

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

Accommodation, food, medical and travel insurance, placement, 24 hour in country staff support, and airport transfers.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

16 and up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992