Through a grant from the Richard A. Shaw Fund, Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) is partnering with Duet (duetne.org) to provide miniature horse onsite learning visits to Duet participants.
Through the miniature horse onsite learning visits, participants engage in hands-on learning that utilizes the horse as a partner in exploring positive development of communication, self-respect, confidence, trust, accountability and conflict resolution. Sessions incorporate a variety of ground work and general horsemanship activities such as grooming, leading and herd observation.
“As a mental health practitioner, I am excited about partnering with HETRA’s team on this project,” said Dona Holland, Duet director of behavioral health services. “It will provide both organizations the opportunity to improve the lives of adults who have been diagnosed with an intellectual and/or developmental disability using a new approach. I look forward to my team being able to use this as a behavioral health resource which is also fun for people to do.”
Duet provides support to children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in eastern Nebraska. Their core services include residential support, job coaching, employment opportunities, and providing education and community action in Nebraska. To learn more, go to duetne.org.