Equoterapia como ação extensionista de inclusão social e escolar

Abstract

Equine-assisted therapy as an extension action for social and school inclusionThis article aims to present the actions of a university extension project that has as main objective social and school inclusion, in partnership with the Public Labor Ministry, APAE and the Federal University of Paraíba through the practice of equine therapy. The actions were carried out from 2016 to 2018, through weekly sessions lasting 20 to 30 minutes, to 24 people with disabilities, being attended by a specialist in the area of physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychology, physical educator, pedagogue and horseback riding (university students volunteers). The results show that there were improvements regarding body posture, orality, self-perception, muscle tone, social aspects among others. As for the social formation of university students, we can point out social involvement and responsibility in the human aspect. The challenges to be faced are the lack of investment to acquire material resources to expand the project and strengthen social networks to accept diversity.