Josh

Josh is a 6-year-old boy with a newfound passion for horses thanks to the new pilot equine therapy program. His treatment and access to the program is due in part to the NCEF Wrap Around Collier Program which helps improve access to children’s mental healthcare.

Josh struggles with ADD and oppositional defiant disorder which is a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior towards authority figures. Because the disorder is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors, his treatment consists of a combination of a variety of programs available in the DLC continuum of care. Each program is designed to address different components of the whole child so he can achieve the best treatment outcomes.

Josh has difficulties following directions, obeying rules, following through with requests, attention issues and is defiant to his mother and teachers at times. This culminates in severe temper tantrums when he doesn’t get his way. He takes medications to regulate his mood and ADD symptoms. Josh and his mother receive therapeutic behavioral onsite services in the home and school setting where his behavior problems occur.

Josh was handpicked for the equine program so that he could gain socialization skills and learn empathy. Today, horses are all he seems to have on his mind. He loves telling his mother all about how to care for the horses.

Now that he’s gained self confidence and tackled attention and empathy issues in a controlled setting with horses, he will work with his therapist on translating those lessons to friends and family.

Josh’s mother shared, “Equine therapy has been a blessing. It has really helped his self esteem.”

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