Tōtara Park Riding for the Disabled

RDA provides interaction with horses to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people experiencing disability, or who have specific challenges or needs, enabling them to have meaningful participation in, and contribution to, their community. Tōtara Park RDA provides therapeutic programmes and horse riding activities to facilitate the training and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities whose physical and mental health is likely to benefit from such participation. Benefits include: Physical mobility, Learning skills and Social skills

Riders come to achieve a specific goal, whether it is therapeutic, educational, sporting or recreational. Types of Disabilities:
Includes Cerebral palsy (varying type), Down syndrome, Spina bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple sclerosis, Visual and hearing loss, Speech impairment, Learning disabilities, Emotionally disturbed, Autism, CVA, Neurological injuries, ADHD, and multiple disabilities. Numbers:
Each year, we provide approximately 2,000 hours of riding therapy for people with disabilities. We plan to increase our rider numbers by operating more rides during the week. We always have a long waiting list of people wanting to use our service. Age:
All ages, 90% of our riders are under the age of 16 years

Catchment Area:
South Eastern Auckland, including Manukau, Pakuranga, Panmure, Glen Innes, Howick, Manurewa, Papatoetoe, Clevedon, Beachlands, Maraetai, Whitford, and Papakura. Sources of referral:
SES / Hospitals / Mental health / schools /disability groups / Community groups /doctors / therapists / counsellors / ACC / Individual