Demand for animal-assisted services grows, with pony time helping Owen relax, use sign language, slow down

Four-year-old Owen loves to climb and dance but when he sits on gentle old Welsh pony Sherbie his little body relaxes and he dozes off.

The preschooler has Down syndrome and has been having sessions with the pony as part of an equine-assisted learning program that has opened in his regional community, in the Riverland of South Australia.

Owen's mum, Jennifer McCullough, was keen for Owen to experience being around horses and knew he responded well to animal-assisted learning sessions.

He has had sessions with dogs and Ms McCullough credits them with motivating him to first walk.

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Written by Catherine Heuzenroeder / ABC Riverland