Ambury Park's riding therapy and vocational training programmes are so successful that we receive many comments of appreciation from grateful parents. Here are just a few of our success stories:
Ambury Park is slowly and gradually helping me to get my son back on track. State schools do not make funding available to provide help and, from my experience, are not interested. As a parent, it is wonderful to get a bit of support. It can be a long hard road and the Ministry of Education, Special Education and schools do not want to help. I hope that with the assistance of the wonderful and caring staff at Ambury Park my one son will one day be able to succeed in this world. Without this assistance I dread to think what might happen.
J.A. Wilkens, Auckland
My daughter Fiona is high-functioning autistic and classed as non-verbal. She started the vocational training scheme run by Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy in February 2001. When she first started, Fiona would need constant supervision and would not speak to or look at anyone. Over the last year and a half, she has improved in her ability to work at her jobs and keep at them until they are finished. Most times, Fiona will look at people"s faces and say hello and give her name. Fiona has gained in confidence, both at work and at home and is showing signs of independence.
Sandra Vandenberg, Bucklands Beach
Working as a visiting teacher throughout the 1990s, I referred a number of students to the programme run by Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy and the resultant positive changes in both behaviour and learning attitudes were quite astounding. In my present position as a resource teacher: learning and behaviour, it has been my experience that pupils with both learning and behavioural difficulties who are fortunate enough to have access to this amazing resource, not only choose to modify their behaviours, but are able to apply the study skills that are so ably taught into their life away from the school programme.
Reg House, Kelston
A short note on our observations on Fiona after 18 months at your therapy centre. Previously, Fiona was very reluctant to start a task. She is now better able to express her own opinions and family friends have noticed that she is more interesting to talk to and will now start up conversation with them much more readily than she would in the past. Both Fiona's mother and I are very pleased with her change in attitude and attribute this to her more stimulating surroundings and regimented learning environment.
Robert McBurney, Papatoetoe
Click on the links below to view testimonials from:
Mt Richmond Special School
Auckland College of Education
Michael Johnson - Paralympic Gold Medallist
Vincent Maire - parent