What Tauranga RDA can provide

• A therapeutic riding centre for the rehabilitation and support of clients and their families
• Appropriately qualified staff including experienced riding coaches
• Specially trained therapy horses
• Specialist riding equipment
• Buildings and structures to support our therapeutic programmes
• A safe, caring, supportive and non-prejudicial environment for clients
• Individualised, well-managed therapy programmes
• Participants have the opportunity to work alongside staff and volunteers to help other clients
• Remedial and/or supplementary educational opportunities
• Opportunities for youth volunteers to learn the value of volunteering and helping others
• Volunteer training programme

Benefits of the Therapeutic Care Programme

• Behaviour modification
• Social contact with peers
• Learning life skills and acceptable behaviour
• Enhancing communication skills
• Fostering socialisation
• Facilitating engagement and responsiveness to others and the environment
• Giving pleasure and enhancing morale
• Fulfilling needs to nurture and be nurtured
• Compliments other treatment modalities
• Providing forms of sensory stimulation
• Increased confidence in ones own ability
• Learning empathy for others and nurturing confidence, independence and wellbeing

Tauranga RDA actively encourages health professionals of statutory health organisations and community agencies to work  along side us to support their clients.
 

Testimonials from the Therapeutic Care Programme

The following endorsements are a testament to the success of the programme:

“The skills I have learned at RDA have turned my life around dramatically and I can never thank them enough. I know the path I was following was a path that was going to get me thrown in jail and believe me, many tried to take me off that path with shrinks groups, and I just wouldn’t listen. RDA changed my life and now my path leads to a brighter future and I’m looking forward to it.” Martin Chew, CLIENT.
 

“From the first session I could see improvements. They were keen to be involved, excited about the programme and had engaged with all aspects. As the weeks went by I saw notable changes with all the young people. They improved in confidence, vision and ability to relate to people. One boy was very closed and angry but over the time he seemed softer, more open, confident and better able to engage with people”. Nynette Martin, Manager, IMPACTAURANGA.
 

“The work of the RDA is often associated with helping people with physical disabilities, whereas this pilot project has reiterated the fact that equally important and substantial benefits are to be gained by people suffering from mental health issues. Based on the professional manner the RDA delivered the course to our clients and the results achieved, I have no hesitation recommending RDA courses to other organisations wishing to support the well being of young people.” Clive James, Occupational Therapist, Mental Health and Addiction Service, TAURANGA HOSPITAL.
 

“For the first time we saw these girls express empathy and caring toward an animal and another person. We saw them make an 'adult friend', (Therapist), who stood in authority over them, and they did not argue or disrespect her during the classes. They even liked her.” Paul Horler, Police Youth Aid, Te Aranui Youth Development, NZ POLICE.

"HI im jessie rusling im 11 years old and i have been having bad panic attacks and never wanted to leave my parents. But joining RDA has helped with my panic attacks and i love it so much i met so many cool horses such as Brandy and she was my first horse. Then I met phille and she is a little out of my zone but she is nice. I have also met peanut, Mr chips, Zena, Cisco, Honey, Big boy, Caleb, JJ, and Red they all beautiful horses and RDA has been so helpful and I LOVE horses I think im pretty good at riding and all the people in my group such and Rose is such an awesome teacher, she has taught me so much. Umm so RDA thanks and if there is anything I can do to help I would be up there in a click." Jessie Rusling, 11.

"Hey my name is Tayla Chalmers I'm 16yrs old and I have been diagnosed with adjustment disorder with depressed moods and anxiety. I'm currently being supported by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and receiving regular counseling for an assault that happened on New Years eve 2008. I went on a course at RDA that Child and Adolescents Mental Healths Services put me through and it helped me a lot with my anxiety and dealing with the real world. It has taught me how to cope better with everyday problems and showed me how to have confidence in myself and the things I do .