Equine Therapy

*** Please note that we do not receive commissions of any kind for this post. This post is in relation to a therapy provider that we find useful. ***

Daddy superhero and I are always looking for different activities that we can incorporate into our weekly routines that will further develop the little superheroes skills. 

We've always known the power that animals have on both little superheroes and have always thought that both would love to participate in equine therapy. Towards the end of term one of this school year, Daddy superhero sent me a link to an equine therapy provider.

We'd just attended a horse show that a few of our relatives organised, and since then L had expressed that he'd like to learn how to ride a horse, just like his cousins Dave, Jane and Em.

After speaking with the owner of the Quarter Mile Ranch where the Equine Therapy is conducted, we booked L in for a trial session.

On the day of the session, L was over excited but as soon as we walked over to the horses, L immediately calmed. After introducing ourselves to Tiarne, we left L with her and stood back and watched.

The immediate change in L was just brilliant to watch. L's horse for the session was a gorgeous horse named Bear. L's first job was to brush Bear down, and he did this ever so gently. L then helped Tiarne to locate the riding equipment that L needed for the session.

After helping Tiarne to put all the riding gear into Bear, it was time for the riding to begin. L didn't show an ounce of hesitation as he climbed up into the saddle. The first session was quite short but in the short time, L learnt how to turn Bear, how to go forwards and backwards, how to stop (very important!) and he had a go at trotting with Bear.

At the conclusion of the session when we asked L if he wanted to come back to the ranch, he let out a resounding yes!

L and now O, have since began weekly Equine Therapy sessions. One of the great things we love about the sessions, is that the little superheroes aren't just learning how to ride horses.

At the beginning, and end, of each session that they have been learning how to take care of the horses by brushing them down, cleaning their hooves, brushing their horses manes. The little superheroes have to locate the riding gear that they will need for their horse, and with some help, they put all of the equipment on their horse. 

At the end of the session, they have to help with the feeding of all of the horses at the ranch. This they do complain about, but secretly I'm pretty sure they love this part. Not only do they get their hands dirty by mixing the horse feed, but they also get to see the horses become extremely excited because they know that it's dinner time!

The little superheroes are also practicing and working on their emotional regulation skills every week when they are with the horses.

And every week, the little superheroes learn and practice a new skill with the horses.

L has since been paired with a grumpy horse named Shotz. It's actually quite amusing to watch L and Shotz. Every time that one of the trainers interacts with Shotz, he tries to spin around and give them a nip on the arm. But with L, Shotz is calm and patient. It's almost as though while Shotz is a calming influence on L, L has the same effect on Shotz.

O is also loving the Equine Therapy sessions. She is still developing her confidence with the horses, but they are having a huge impact on O's anxiety. There have been a few weeks where O's anxiety has been sky high, but after working with the horses, O has been able to calm and articulate what has caused her to become anxious.

Both little superheroes are loving their Equine Therapy and no matter what sort of day they have, as soon as they begin interacting with the horses, they calm and focus. And then at the conclusion of every session, two happy flappy, bouncy children come running across the paddock to the car. This makes my heart sing every week.

The Little Superheroes at The Holt Bolt

*** Please note that I do not receive commissions of any kind for this post. This post discusses a therapy provider that we have found useful. ***

Last year brought a whole range of changes for everyone right across the globe. For me personally, I began a new career. After working in the early learning and education industry for over 20 years, I took the plunge and began work in the Disabuly Support industry as a Support Worker. Just quietly, I am loving the change.

But that's another post. I'm working one on one with young adults both in their homes and in the community, assisting them to develop their independence skills. One of the places that I accompany my clients to is The Holt Bolt.

When I first took a client to their session at Holt Bolt, I immediately thought that both little superheroes would love being a part of the Holt Bolt family. Initially the sessions were held at a very small (and compact) gymnasium, but they've recently moved to a purpose fitted gym.

So what is Holt Bolt? As their website states, Holt Bolt is all about helping people of all ages and abilities to overcome obstacles. Holt Bolt was founded by Richard Holt in 2013 and has grown every year since. The Holt Bolt team deliver physical training and exercise physiology to people of all ages and all abilities in a fun environment.

I've participated in a few Holt Bolt sessions with the clients that I work with, and they are a lot of fun. So much fun, that I don't think a few of my clients realise just how hard their bodies are working during the session! I know that the day after, my legs were reminding me just how hard I had worked!!

On a Friday evening a few weeks ago, the little superheroes had their first look at Holt Bolt. L's eyes lit up when we entered their new purpose fitted training center. Not only is there every type of exercise equipment imaginabe, there is also an inflatable obstacle course, an arcade type motor cycle game, an electronic basketball game and numerous other types of resources.

The little superheroes first session was all about meeting their trainer (they were lucky enough to have two trainers, one of whom is in training herself and is one of the little superheroes former swimming instructors!) From their first session, their instructor could gauge what the little superheroes needed to work on, she started to build a rapport with both little superheroes and finally, they were there to have fun.

They did a short workout and they played a few games. And at the end of the session, they both wanted to keep going, and they can't wait for their next session. Both were having so much fun, that they didn't realise that they were working on strengthening their core, as well as further developing their gross and fine motor skills.

All of the activities that the little superheroes will engage in at Holt Bolt will further develop skills that they already have.

So thank you to the trainers at Holt Bolt, we're looking forward to watching the little superheroes further develop their skills.

Coffee 2020, oops!!

Last year was a complete right off and coffee really did get me through most of the year. This one has been sitting in my draft folder, oops, since the end of last year. So without any further ado, here are a few coffee memes that sum up last year!!!

ANZAC Day 2020

2020. Unofficially known as the year we all played Jumanji and where the best laid plans of everyone were put to rest. Much of what occurred during 2020 was completely out of everyone's control and the way we lived our lives, changed drastically.

Anzac Day was one of those plans. We have a number of relatives who served in, and some who are current serving members, of the Australian Defence Forces, so Anzac Day is a day for us to remember and to say thank you. And not just for our family, families across Australia and New Zealand stop and remember on the 25th of April.

Unfortunately 2020 had other plans, and for the first year in a very long time there are to be no public Anzac Day services. Instead we were urged to stay at home and have our own driveway services. We were urged to light up the dawn at home in our drive ways.

As part of the little superheroes online home learning, we made lanterns out of cut down milk bottles. They both worked hard on creating lanterns not only for ourselves but also for their grandparents and our neighbours.

Then on Anzac Day, we rose early to listen to the dawn service that was being conducted at the Australian War Memorial and pay our respects. We were joined by one of pur neighbours, who happened to be one of the teachers at the little superheroes school.

And out of lockdown 2020, a new tradition was made. This year, 2021, while the dawn services and Anzac Day parades were on, albiet slightly different by incorporating social distancing, we chose to pay our respects at home by lighting up the dawn on our driveway.

Lachlan's Smart Pup

 

I feel very, very slack as I haven't made time to work on my blog at all this year. Between work and family commitments, 2021 is flying by. This weekend is a long weekend, three days off, so I'm putting some time aside to work on a few posts.

The first being this one! An update for you all on L's Autism Assistance Smart Pup. Earlier last year, I published a post with the fantastic news that we'd reached our fundraising goal and that L had been presented with his pup at a fundraising function that we were invited to.

Towards the end of 2020, we received the unfortunate news that the pup, Wally, that was presented to L was found to be unsuitable during one of the training phrases. Wally became very anxious in social settings and busy places. And unfortunately that isn't a trait that one wants to see in an assistance dog. We went up to the Smart Pups property and L met a few other dogs that were, at that point, in the training program.

Then a few weeks ago, we received the most amazing news via email from Smart Pups.

L had been paired with a black Labrador named Henry. When we read the email out to L, you could not wipe the smile from L's face. L went straight up to the calendar in his room and put a huge circle on the day that Henry is due to be placed with us, which is in mid May.

Then last week we were sent this photo of Henry, he has graduated from the Smart Pups training program and his trainer is just fine tuning his skills until Henry is placed with us. Doesn't Henry look super smart in his coat and graduation cap ♥️

So now the countdown is almost over, L is beyond excited and we can't wait to finally meet Henry. Keep an eye on this space so our next update.