Horses help mental health patients

By Justine Thompson

General news

23 February 2010 14:23

A hospital for people with learning disorders and mental health problems has been using horses to help the patients.

Ashley House in Staffordshire is a low-secure hospital specialising in assessing and treating adults with learning or developmental disabilities or behavioural problems including challenging behaviour.

A year ago the Care Principles-owned hospital arranged for four patients and staff to visit a local riding stables on a weekly basis. There, they help to care for the horses and ponies and learn what’s involved in looking after them.

Escorting a pony back to Ashley House’s field to show other patients how to handle the animals and answer questions they may have was another part of the programme.

Interaction with the animals and sharing of skills has helped to improve communication and build confidence among those taking part.

Lucy Berrisford, who heads up the work experience programme at Ashley House, said: “We are extremely grateful to the local stables for providing such a hands-on learning experience to our patients.

“They have received invaluable guidance and support from those at the stables and we are pleased to be able to offer them the opportunity to help a local business and be active members of the community.”

The project has proved such a success over the past year that the stable owners are now committed to continuing the collaboration with the hospital.
The hospital said: “This is a positive step in developing community relations and provides a greater understanding of Ashley House and those for whom it cares.”