The Brazilian Quarter Horse Breeders Association (ABQM), in partnership with the National Association of Equine Therapy (Ande Brasil), the Granja do Torto Exhibition Park (PGT) and the Ministry of Tourism (MTur) carried out this Tuesday, the 29th, the symbolic donation of two horses to the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD), in a ceremony held in Brasília. The animals will join those belonging to the Jundiaí Agricultural School (EAJ/UFRN) through Equoterapia Potiguar, with which the ISD has an agreement to carry out equine therapy activities for children with autism. 

“It is with great joy that we receive the donation of these two horses, understanding that this joint action by Ande Brasil, the Pátria Voluntária Program and ABQM also represents the recognition of the work that is developed with so much love and by so many people. To each of them and on behalf of everyone who makes up the ISD, I would like to take this opportunity to express our pride and gratitude for the generosity with which they dedicate themselves to this wonderful action. The ISD has long recognized the power and importance of equine therapy as a therapeutic strategy in the health care of people with disabilities. And Equoterapia Potiguar embodies values that are precious to our institution, as it meets a social demand of the highest relevance, which is the child with autism spectrum disorder. It is essentially interdisciplinary, inclusive and user-centered, and is made possible by the articulation of intersectoral partnerships”, says the Institute’s general director, Reginaldo Freitas Jr.

In addition to the two animals donated to ISD, another 39 were delivered by ABQM, Ande Brasil and PGT to 22 institutions that work with equine therapy in 11 Brazilian states. The donations were made possible through the Pátria Voluntária Program. According to the president of the ABQM Executive Board, Carlos Eduardo Pedrosa Auricchio, the donation of the animals to the rehabilitation institutions shows the strength of the union of the entities involved in the action. “It is a historic moment. Being at the head of an entity of this magnitude leads us to look in different directions and promote great actions. In addition, it makes us increasingly aware of the need for an increasingly structured sector”, he stated. 

The work developed by ISD in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities through equine therapy was recognized by the president of Ande Brasil, Jorge Dornelles Passamani. “I left ISD in love. These horses will make a difference in the rehabilitation of patients throughout Brazil,” he said during the ceremony to hand over the animals. 

equine therapy

Equine therapy is a complementary therapy that does not replace other therapeutic and educational interventions, but that brings clinical benefits at a physical and psychological level, such as the development of muscle strength, relaxation and body awareness. Since 2017, at least 20 children treated by ISD have undergone equine therapy. In 2022, five more children aged 4 will be treated with equine therapy as part of their treatment. 

They are part of a multicenter national research project by the National Association of Equine Therapy (Ande Brasil), entitled “Communicating with Equine Therapy: The Effect of Equine Therapy on the Rehabilitation of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder”, which aims to work on aspects of language and communication. The research has five data collection centers in Brazil, one of which is the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD).

The general director of ISD, Reginaldo Freitas Jr., emphasizes the relevance of equine therapy in improving the lives of children with autism and the successful partnership with the Agricultural School of Jundiaí. “The results are undeniable and, above all, exciting. Without the harmony of work and the sum of efforts of the teams from ISD and the Agricultural School of Jundiaí/UFRN, this dream would not be a reality”, he declares.

Ceremony

The symbolic event of handing over the horses was attended by the president of the Pátria Voluntária Council and godmother of Ande-Brasil, Michelle Bolsonaro; the president of Embratur, Carlos Brito; the president of ABQM, Carlos Eduardo Auricchio; the president of the National Accessibility Unit (UNA), Andrea Pontes; the president of the Brazilian Vaquejada Association (ABVAQ), Pauluca Moura; and the vice-president of ABQM, Jonatas Dantas.

Donation

The 41 horses were delivered to Rehabilitation Centers in the following States:

Alagoas – 2

Federal District – 7

Goias – 6

Mato Grosso do Sul – 1

Minas Gerais – 4

Paraiba – 2
Parana – 1

Rio Grande do Norte – 2 (ISD)

Rio Grande do Sul – 2

Rondônia – 1

Sao Paulo – 11

Tocantins – 2