Page 81 - Bugle Autumn 2023

EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY
The Always a Rifleman Programme has continued its collaboration with the Armed Forces Equine Charity in Tidworth. The Equine Assisted Therapy Programme runs over a 12-18 month period, depending on the participants availability and readiness for each phase. So far we have now put 13 Riflemen through phase one, with a mix of six riders, from both courses returning for phase two course in June.
Phase one is a combination of learning horse care and how horses relate to humans and how we relate to each other, plus a number of presentations on volunteering. Phase two developed on that; learning how to ride and taking part in two volunteering tasks: one assisting Wiltshire Wildlife Services clearing a riverbank and one with Hampshire Countryside Services clearing an footpath.
The course runs for four days and is accommodated in an Airbnb. The participants muck in with the cooking and cleaning and each evening there is some form of activity; either presentations on goal setting and mentoring or relaxing with a BBQ.
I was there to provide some moral support. However, the support the Riflemen gave
each other was amazing. Apart from seeing
a bunch of people progress from equine novices to riding unaided, my abiding memory will be seeing the joy they took from seeing how far they had all come and each of them celebrating each other’s achievements... I feel this programme will be a regular part of the AARP arsenal going forward.
Dave Hill, AARP Mentor
MORE STORIES
my abiding memory will be seeing the joy they took from seeing how far they had all come and each of them celebrating each
other’s achievements
A History of The Princess Mary’s Hospital
Royal Air Force Akrotiri 1963 – 2013 Written by Colonel David Vassallo L/RAMC
A new 120 page paperback book about the hospital’s history packed with intriguing photographs that raises funds for RAF Akrotiri Station Charities.
If you were posted to Cyprus you will enjoy the memories and delight browsing through the images, if you were born there you will cherish this unique keepsake. Buy it as a gift.
ISBN 978-0992798017
Available to buy online at www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk, Amazon and The Museum of Military Medicine
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