Sep 27, 2016

Ukrainian Special Needs Children Get Help from Horses

Thanks to your support of the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign, Ukrainian children with special needs are participating in a unique horse therapy program.Through the efforts of Federation’s overseas partner agency, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), five children with developmental and speech delays, as well as neurological disorders, will meet at the Odessa Horse Club for innovative healing techniques over the course of four months. The children’s families also receive additional support in the form of food cards, medications, psychological rehabilitation and more from Odessa’s JDC-supported Jewish Family Service. In addition, the program includes family Shabbat retreats twice a year, Sunday meetings involving a special art therapy group, and even family theater for kids with special needs.

Egor, one of the five children participating, recently visited the city’s Horse Club for a unique therapy program. Egor’s family has worked tirelessly to improve his speech and knew equine therapy would be a great supplement to the work they are already doing. “Our boy likes all the things JDC organizes for us… He also loves animals and it was unbelievable for him to ride horses,” said Valentina, 75, Egor’s grandmother. "Without the support, it would be impossible for us to be here today, since one therapy session costs one sixth of my monthly pension, and the three of us survive on my daughter’s salary and my pension.”

Horse therapy is a highly efficient tool for rehabilitation, known around the world for helping to spur children’s physical and emotional development. The initiative is possible thanks to a partnership between JDC’s Shaarey Tzion Hesed social welfare center, Jewish Family Service and the city's local Horse Club.

For more information on our overseas partner agencies, click here.