Curtis White, CTRS Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, arranged a full day for our residents and team members (Marnita Patton, MA, ATR, CCBT, CGT, CDP, Art Therapist and Chet Pigott, Psychiatric Technician), to attend a fun recreational therapy outing involving horseback riding at Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides in Sorrento, Florida. It was a wonderful opportunity to create a memorable social integration experience. Residents got to interact with the horses, including the opportunity to feed Mojo and MoeMoe. Everyone had to work together, using communication to problem solve and by modeling the appropriate social skills to get saddled up and ready to head on out together. Once everyone was ready, the group proceeded onto the riding trail. The wonderful Central Florida weather made for a really enjoyable Wednesday afternoon ride.
According to Alison Stout, DO, “There are many mental benefits to horseback riding. Confidence comes with interacting with the animal. Additionally, horseback riding can be very relaxing and calming. It takes you away from any other worries or issues because, the only focus is on riding the horse. While horseback riding is a great physical exercise, the real benefit is the connection with the horse and the peace of mind that comes with every ride.” Also, according an article featuring therapy counselor Gabrielle Gardner, of Shine For Life, “It has been clinically documented that being around horses changes human brainwave patterns. Horses are naturally empathetic, meaning the members of the herd feel what is going on with all of the other members.”
Pasadena Villa programs set out to create a comforting and therapeutic environment. We do things a normal family would do. Our staff and residents learn and model appropriate social and communication skills, from daily mealtimes, to many fun and relaxing recreational activities.
Our mental health professionals work directly with residents. They observe them in actual social situations and incorporate these observations directly into the resident’s ongoing treatment plan. This individual real life personalized attention makes the Pasadena Villa treatment experience more appropriate, relevant and beneficial for each of our residents, especially when compared to any other available adult residential treatment mental health services. As one of the very first programs in the country to base its treatment upon Social Integration, our mental health facilities offer help through a unique mix of individualized therapy and group residential programs with a clear focus towards achieving more independent living.
The Villa Orlando and Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge are adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment centers for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 877-845-5235 for more information.
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