Ponta Grossa Equestrian Therapy Center seeks support to resume services for families

The lack of financial resources interrupted the care of the Pontagrossense Rehabilitation and Equestrian Therapy Center (CREP), an institution that works in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities and specific needs in Ponta Grossa.

The situation was presented on Wednesday (4), during the session of Câmara Municipal, by the representative of the entity, Mary Ster Ranzani, who used the Free Tribune to request support for the resumption of services.

With a trajectory of almost two decades, CREP developed activities in a farm in the municipality, offering therapeutic follow-up through an interdisciplinary team composed of physiotherapists, psychologists, physical educators and other volunteer professionals.

Despite the work carried out, the difficulties in costing the structure and maintaining the services led to the suspension of activities. According to Mary Ster, the disruption left more than 100 people without care, as well as increasing the demand for families waiting for an opportunity for follow-up.

Since 2006, the institution has assisted more than 500 families of Ponta Grossa and Campos Gerais.

Treatment uses horses as a rehabilitation tool

During the presentation to councilors, Mary Ster displayed images of activities developed by CREP and reported experiences of patients who passed through the program.

Among the examples presented was the follow-up of a person with cerebral palsy, a condition also known as chronic non-progressive encephalopathy. According to the representative, the patient presented advances during the different stages of treatment.

Equine therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses the horse as an instrument to stimulate motor, cognitive, emotional and social skills. The follow-up requires the participation of different professionals, responsible for driving the animal, guiding the exercises and individualized support to the participants.

New project foresees five core services

In an attempt to restructure the institution and expand the assistance to the population, the CREP presented a proposed operation organized in five areas: Equestrian therapy, Integrated Health, Therapeutic Education, Rural Therapeutic and Senior Grief.

The planning includes services of physical and neurological rehabilitation, psychological follow-up, educational activities, social inclusion and reception of elderly people.

To put the project into operation, the institution expects the participation of approximately 60 professionals and volunteers.

In the area of equestrian therapy, the proposal includes different treatment modalities, such as hypotherapy, education and re-education and pre-sports activities. These practices seek to meet different needs, from the development of motor skills to the preparation of participants for sports activities.

Institution seeks public support

At the end of the participation in the Free Tribune, Mary Ster highlighted that the experience accumulated by the entity demonstrated the importance of ensuring financial conditions before restarting the services.

According to her, previously, the professionals began the care without sufficient resources to ensure the maintenance of the structure.

“Today we come differently, asking for help, both from the team and from you,” he said.

The representative also recalled that the CREP holds the title of Municipal Public Utility since 2012, recognition granted because of the activities developed for the benefit of the community.

Now, the institution seeks partnerships and financial support to make the new structure viable and allow families in Ponta Grossa and the region to re-access rehabilitation services.

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