Recreational Therapy

Private Sessions

How often and how long are the sessions?

Frequency of sessions with the RT is generally 1x per week for 1 hour (frequency and duration of sessions can be adapted as required). A consistent weekly time slot is secured for a complete session as they would be for our equestrian programs. They can be scheduled prior to or following a riding lesson (for in person sessions), or can occur on a completely different day of the week.

What is the cost?

Private In Person = $30
Private Virtual = $25

Semi-Private In Person = $20 each
Semi-Private Virtual = $15 each

Group Sessions

Promoting socialization, exploration, team building and the overall love of outdoor farm life, group Recreation Therapy sessions are a great way to get children and youth active and engaged with their peers who have similar interests.

Below is what's available for Fall 2023.

HERD HANGOUT - Equine Assisted Learning

Ages: 9-15
When: Wednesdays, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Start date: Sept 13, 2023
Last date: Dec 13, 2023
Cost: $280 (14 weeks x $20)
Max Number of Participants: 8

This program is a hands-on, socially engaging and educational experience. Participants, together with horses, will engage in activities that encourage problem solving skills, new ways of communicating, self-esteem building, create and strengthen relationships, as well as develop leadership skills. Here is an example of an equine assisted learning activity:

Trust Walk

Participants are divided into pairs, one leading while the other unable to see. The leader takes a horse in one hand and his or her teammate in the other. The goal is to get both the horse and the teammate safely through an obstacle course without either of them touching anything along the way. 

Activity Focus: Builds confidence and trust and encourages/assists development in communication and listening skills.

Equine assisted learning activities combined with Recreational Therapy techniques will be used to work on the following areas of learning throughout the Fall Season:

Day 1→ Relationships and comfort

Day 2 & 8→ Independence and Confidence

Day 3 & 9 → Partnerships/ Group dynamic

Day 4 & 10→ Exploring Emotions

Day 5 & 11→ Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Day 6 & 12→ Cognition Focus

Day 7 & 13 →Leadership

Day 14 → Bringing It All Together

Note: If participants need hands on assistance with one or more of the following, please contact our Recreation Therapist to discuss:

• toileting
• eating/food prep
• basic dressing
• mobility on even or uneven terrain
• following 1-2 step instructions

H.O.P.E. (Horses, Opportunities, Participation, Empowerment)

This is our day program for individuals ages 18 years and older and is designed to take full advantage of all things an equestrian farm has to offer. Activities suit any preferences including arts, adventure, nature, athletics and more. This is a full day program running on Fridays where individuals will get to experience a variety of adaptive recreation activities, outdoor learning opportunities and adventures, as well as invaluable socialization time.

Program Activities

H.O.P.E. is unique in that each activity will have an incorporated goal and facilitative technique in order to guide individual and group experiences from a Recreation Therapy perspective. Activities are chosen to be adaptable to individual needs, promote creativity, exploring, teamwork and active living in an outdoor setting. Check out the many example activities listed below:

Helping Hands
Participants will engage and help out with a variety of different tasks around the facility. These tasks can include helping with lunch time feeding, horse stall duties, shovelling, checking the
paddocks and so much more!

Mapping, Navigation, & Orienteering
Participants will have use of compasses and maps to participate in various activities including treasure hunts, orienteering challenges, and map making activities. Participants will test their skills in our back fields to show their learning.

Animal Tracks
Come and explore the animal world through tracks! Learn and discover all kinds of tracks of animals that live within our farm environment through crafts, activities and games.

Nature Art
We have 142 acres at Hope Haven to help inspire creativity! We have an abundance of natural materials to create sculptures and many natural landscapes to reproduce on canvases.

Outdoor Survival
Learn the basics of wilderness survival including food sources, how to get fresh water, shelter building, and even fire making. Participants will get to practice their outdoor skills through challenges and trivia.

Daily & Seasonal Changes
Students will explore seasonal changes through interactive games, crafts, and activities. The focus will be on the current season, while exploring what is different during other times of the year.

Growth & Changes in Animals
Participants will learn all about animal life cycles and their survival process. Interactive games and activities will have them exploring various predators and prey, animal life cycles, and animal adaptability in the wild.

Outdoor Activities
Participants will engage in a variety of outdoor winter games such as floor hockey, snow shoeing, tobogganing and more! There will be opportunities for individual and group play in a wide selection of different activities.

Campfire Building
Participants will learn a variety of different ways to build, light, feed and as well the proper ways to put out a campfire. This is a safe process and the only person to manage the flame will
be the Recreation Therapist or the volunteers that are instructed to do so.

Registration

Please contact our Program Manager, Robyn Allen, if you are interested in registering. We will do a basic screening over the phone, answer any questions you may have and then do a site visit to meet you if you are new to Hope Haven.
Email: program@hopehavencentre.org or 519-986-1247.

FAQs

Who runs the H.O.P.E. program?

Hope Haven's Recreation Therapist, Shannon Speer, programs and facilitates the day program with the assistance of volunteers as required.

What are the days and times of the day program?

We will be running Mondays and Fridays throughout the Fall, Winter and Spring Seasons. Drop off time is 9:00am and pick up time is 3:30pm. Please meet in our Activity Centre which will be the program's central hub and warming area.

How many participants will there be?

We are keeping with an intimate group and will be registering 4-6 participants each day depending on needs.

What are the requirements of the participant?

This program is for young adults, 18 years and older, who have unique needs and abilities and would like to continue to learn and explore in an outdoor environment. If a participant requires hands on assistance with one or more of the following, they will require a support person, organized and/or paid for independently from Hope Haven:

• toiletting
• eating/food prep
• basic dressing
• mobility on even or uneven terrain
• following 1-2 step instructions

What is the cost?

$45 per day (no Adaptive Riding)

$80 per day (includes a group Adaptive Riding lesson between 9:00am-3:30pm)

We will be asking for full season commitment. Invoices may be paid by monthly instalments.