Equestrian and Hippotherapy Center Brought Together Children with Autism with Horses
Yapılış Tarihi | 03 April 2024, Wednesday
April 2 Autism Awareness Day was celebrated under the leadership of the Equestrian and Hippotherapy Center within Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ), in cooperation with the Burdur Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services and MAKÜ Equestrian Sports Club. The opening of the event began with inspiring speeches.
The Director of the Equestrian and Hippotherapy Center, Prof. Dr. Şima Şahinduran, emphasized the special bond between horses and children in her opening speech. "Today, by bringing our autistic children together with our horses, we want to teach them the love of horses and provide them with an unforgettable experience. Every child learns at their own pace, and the brains of autistic children have a unique structure. When we provide the right support and opportunities, these children can achieve great successes for society. Witnessing their learning process and growing with them on this journey is invaluable for us," she expressed her feelings.
Autism is a Special Talent Richness
Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar pointed out that autism is a richness and emphasized the importance of the contributions of autistic children to society. "Our university will continue to support our autistic children and their families. We must not forget that one in every 100 children is on the autism spectrum, and we should think about how we can direct these children's special talents for the benefit of society. The event taking place here today is an important step in raising awareness on this issue. I extend my thanks to everyone who contributed and send my love to each of our children," he said.
The event was held at the Horse Manege in MAKÜ's İstiklal Campus and took place in a festival atmosphere. Throughout the event, children played various games accompanied by music and had fun with activities like face painting. Additionally, children had the opportunity to ride horses in the manege, giving them the chance to interact with animals and learn new skills. The event was recorded as an important initiative to increase social awareness for autistic children and to develop their social skills.
