Refuge Services provides services to help those with disabilities and mental health. They use horses as a key tool to help with their therapies.
They provide equine-assisted therapy services to clients 18 months of age and up. They can do physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and mental health counseling. All of these therapies are done with the horses.
Nationwide, equine assisted therapies have become a popular treatment for many issues. The rhythmic movements of the horse can provide correction and rehabilitation to clients with muscle and speech limitations.
Patti Mandrell is the executive director of Refuge Services and she believes through equine-assisted therapy their clients can build relationships, improve communication, stimulate creativity and improve self-esteem.
“The horse provides an opportunity to address many components of that therapy at one time,” Mandrell said. “So the therapist will say I’m able to accomplish in one Hippotherapy session what I might be able to accomplish in three or four office sessions.”
On August 25 HASCO Commercial is holding a golf tournament to benefit Refuge Services and they are looking for players and sponsors for this inaugural event. Find more information by calling (806) 785-1110.
Refuge Services is always looking for volunteers. For more information on how to get involved email Volunteer@refugeservices.org. Refuge Services is located at 8405 CR 2500.
