What is an “Equipony” doing in Manhattan Childrens Program; a special education preschool setting at UCP?
The EquiponyThe Equipony is an invention by Frank Lovato, Jr., a nationally accomplished jockey, winner of the Eclipse Award. He designed this artificial pony to be of therapeutic value to physically challenged children. Mr. Lovato is owner and president of Wooden Horse Corporation where he hand crafts each custom built Equipony. He is also the father of three young children, which explains his understanding of a child’s need for (therapeutic) play. Mr. Lovato delivered one of his Equiponies to the Manhattan Children’s Program, United Cerebral Palsy of NYC this September (1994). The Pony adds diversity and motivation to a child’s therapy session. It can be used to address goal related to physical disabilities, emotional/behavioral problems, language delays, and certainly, to enhance and facilitate play skills. The pony is eye-catching, life-like and an inviting ‘toy’ at first glance. This supports the Sensory Integrative Approach used throughout much of an Occupational Therapists inter
Related Questions
- How do we get a general education teacher to attend the CCC meeting of preschool children if we have no general education preschool program?
- What if the district currently offers only a half-day program for preschool children with disabilities?
- What other types of disabilities does the UCP Preschool program serve?
