The Swiss Paraplegic Center in Nottwil is worldwide known and unique, as it is one of the leading specialized clinics for paraplegic patients through its functionality and size.

Along-side with medical treatments, two distinct animal-assisted projects with horses are applied for disabled patients, where the horse is used as therapist, influencing positively the patients’ behaviour and well-being through the individual and integral experience with the horse.

– Hippo-Therapy : transmitting the rhythmic, three-dimensional movements of the horse as a therapy on the patient who has no active effect on the horse.

– Horse-Assisted Therapy : using the horse as a medium through its body, its movements and behaviour as therapy for adults and children with physical and/or psychological diseases (paraplegy, autism, social integration problems, etc…)

Apart from the multiple physical effects, such as pain ease, regulation of muscle tension, strengthening of the axial muscles, coordination and posture correction through body balance exercises, the emotional effects are trust and relationship with the horse, increase of perception and coordination abilities, self-confidence and self-assertion, improved communication skills and cooperative behaviour.

In addition to the therapeutic goals, positive side-effects are visible on the patients, such as joy, moment of happiness, healing from isolation feelings, comfort and consolation, experience of human warmth and affection.

https://www.paraplegie.ch