By: Dr. Nurul Hayah Khairuddin
AMPANG, Feb 16 - Putra Equestrian Club, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in collaboration with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Malaysia has once again successfully organized Riding Therapy Volunteerism Development Workshop.
The two-day programme at Royal Selangor Polo Club, here which ended today, marked the second riding therapy volunteerism workshop held by UPM since it’s commencement last year, and the first to be held this year.
Being a part of a long-term collaboration project with RDA, the programme serves as a medium for university students and general community to become trained volunteers in the field of riding therapy for children with special needs under the guidance of Head Coach of RDA, Mr. Muthusamy Kandasamy.
The workshop aims to teach future volunteers the basic knowledge, skills and know-hows in managing, handling and aiding special needs children in their therapy sessions.
The workshop attended by 21 participants, has seen an increase in participation from UPM students, staff personnel and lecturers alike. Following the success of last year’s event, the workshop received massive support during its launching.
Esteemed guests of honor, president of RDA Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr. Abd Aziz Abd Rahman; dean of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman Omar; as well as PEC’s own club advisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurul Hayah Khairuddin, have made special appearances to express and share their insight and knowledge on the field of riding therapy and gave motivation to the future volunteers.
Apart from cultivating riding therapy volunteers, Riding Therapy Volunteerism Development Workshop also acts as a precursor to PEC’s future programme, Riding Therapy and Volunteerism programme, which will be held in the near future.
The Riding Therapy and Volunteerism programme will be held in UPM’s own Equine Unit with the help and guidance from RDA. The program’s purpose is to help and improve the physical and social aptitudes of the special needs children, and as a channel for the volunteers to implement and practice the skills and knowledge learned during the workshop. - UPM
