Volunteer to work with physical therapy horses in the capital city of Chile! This project allows volunteers to care for beautiful horses while also assisting in the therapy of disabled individuals. Equine-assisted therapy, also referred to as equine rehabilitation, is a practice of physical therapy that is gaining popularity worldwide. Horse riding allows patients to enhance their coordination and balance and the interaction between the horse and rider helps the rider to receive new movement impulses and release bodily tension. Other physical treatments can easily be applied while a rider is on horseback and the rest of their body is loose.
This project focuses on the physical rehabilitation of young therapy patientes with autism, Downsyndrome and other developmental disabilities. Volunteers on this project will be improving the lives of these people and as well as those of the horses.
This project focuses on the physical rehabilitation of young therapy patientes with autism, Downsyndrome and other developmental disabilities. Volunteers on this project will be improving the lives of these people and as well as those of the horses.
Location of the Project:
Santiago de Chile, Chile
Project length:
Min 4 weeks- Max 3 months
Arrival Airport:
Comodoro Arturo Merino BenÃtez International Airport (SCL)
Volunteer Work:
Barnyard work, therapeutic assistance, animal care
Age:
Minimum age of 18
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 5 international volunteers
Important Note:
Volunteers must apply for this project at least four weeks before the start date.
Placements can be extended up to six months, pending visa approval.
What's Included
Accommodations:
Single room in a homestay
Food:
Two meals per day are included
Airport Transfers:
Airport pickup provided on arrival day
Orientation:
Orientation is provided upon arrival
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches, personal expenses.
Chile occupies a large strip of South America, running from the southern end of Peru down to the southernmost tip of the continent, sharing additional borders with Bolivia, Argentina and the South Pacific Ocean. It is a country with varying landscapes, from its marble caves and crystal waters in the heart of the Patagonia to its dry, fire-red Atacama Desert and metropolitan capital city.
This project takes place in Santiago, the capital city of Chile. Santiago de Chile is one of the Americas’ largest cities, home to a whopping 40 percent of the population. Santiago takes up Chile’s entire Central Valley region and has the beautiful white-topped Andes Mountains behind its metropolitan skyscrapers, giving it a truly unique beauty. Santiago is sometimes referred to as “Sanhatten” because its architecture resembles that of New York.
This project takes place in Santiago, the capital city of Chile. Santiago de Chile is one of the Americas’ largest cities, home to a whopping 40 percent of the population. Santiago takes up Chile’s entire Central Valley region and has the beautiful white-topped Andes Mountains behind its metropolitan skyscrapers, giving it a truly unique beauty. Santiago is sometimes referred to as “Sanhatten” because its architecture resembles that of New York.
As a volunteer on this project, you will be involved in tasks both directed at caring for the therapy horses as well as assisting the therapists with patient care. Since most of the therapy participants are young, volunteers may be involved in tasks such as playing games with them in addition to their animal-related tasks.
By volunteering at this project, you will be giving back to a center that provides more than just rehabilitation services and caring for animals. You will be lending a hand to a center that provides hope for the future of the rehabilitation of all the people living with physical developmental disorders.
Some of your tasks may include:
Sample Schedule: Volunteers will work Tuesday-Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Volunteers may also help out on Saturday mornings from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM,when necessary. The rest of the time volunteers are free to relax or explore more of Chile. (Each day volunteers will take the metro and then a bus to a central meeting point where they will be picked up and brought to the center.)
Holidays: Please note that this project will not take place during national holiday days.
National Holidays 2018:
Friday, March 30 Good Friday
Tuesday, May 1 Labour Day
Monday, May 21 Navy Day
Monday, July 2 St Peter and St Paul Day
Monday, July 16 Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Wednesday, Aug 15 Assumption Day
Monday, Sep 17 Bridge Holiday
Tuesday, Sep 18 Independence Day
Wednesday, Sep 19 Army Day
Monday, Oct 15 Race Day
Thursday, Nov 1 All Saints Day
Friday, Nov 2 Reformation Day
Saturday, Dec Immaculate Conception Day
Tuesday, Dec 25 Christmas
By volunteering at this project, you will be giving back to a center that provides more than just rehabilitation services and caring for animals. You will be lending a hand to a center that provides hope for the future of the rehabilitation of all the people living with physical developmental disorders.
Some of your tasks may include:
- Assisting with therapy classes
- Guiding horses
- Cleaning the stables and center
- Caring for the horses
- Playing games with therapy participants
Sample Schedule: Volunteers will work Tuesday-Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Volunteers may also help out on Saturday mornings from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM,when necessary. The rest of the time volunteers are free to relax or explore more of Chile. (Each day volunteers will take the metro and then a bus to a central meeting point where they will be picked up and brought to the center.)
Holidays: Please note that this project will not take place during national holiday days.
National Holidays 2018:
Friday, March 30 Good Friday
Tuesday, May 1 Labour Day
Monday, May 21 Navy Day
Monday, July 2 St Peter and St Paul Day
Monday, July 16 Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Wednesday, Aug 15 Assumption Day
Monday, Sep 17 Bridge Holiday
Tuesday, Sep 18 Independence Day
Wednesday, Sep 19 Army Day
Monday, Oct 15 Race Day
Thursday, Nov 1 All Saints Day
Friday, Nov 2 Reformation Day
Saturday, Dec Immaculate Conception Day
Tuesday, Dec 25 Christmas
Internet:
Internet is available in the homestays.
Laundry:
Laundry facilities can be used once per week, but detergent is not always available.
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in single rooms in a homestay in Santiago.
Food:
Breakfast and dinner are provided every day, including weekends. Volunteers will have plenty of time to purchase their lunches in the city before they head to the project. Breakfasts usually include toast with jams, spreads, coffee and tea. Dinners usually consist of pasta, rice, potatoes with chicken or vegetables.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
- Basic level of Spanish * (Volunteers should be able to understand instructions and hold basic conversations)
- Love for animals
- Police clearance
Chile is a country of endless fun and never-ending tourist options! From day trips to visit local beaches to weekend-long mountain treks, there is something special for every volunteer to experience during their free time. A few suggestions can be found below.
Viña del Mar
Vina del Mar is the most visited resort beach in Chile. t is a vibrant beach city that resembles Miami, with a boardwalk lined by skyscrapers and palm trees. For the fun-loving, party-going volunteer, visiting this city is a must!
Valparaíso
The colorful, artistic city of Valparaíso is another nearby, popular tourist destination. With its various art galleries, colorful architecture and its various carnival celebrations, this is a city you won’t want to miss!
Andes Mountains
For the nature-loving volunteer, a weekend trek through the Andes Mountains could be the perfect way to spend a free weekend.
Beginner Spanish speaker? We recommend arriving early for at least one week (two or more are recommended!) of lessons and fun cultural activities. Additional fees apply.
Viña del Mar
Vina del Mar is the most visited resort beach in Chile. t is a vibrant beach city that resembles Miami, with a boardwalk lined by skyscrapers and palm trees. For the fun-loving, party-going volunteer, visiting this city is a must!
Valparaíso
The colorful, artistic city of Valparaíso is another nearby, popular tourist destination. With its various art galleries, colorful architecture and its various carnival celebrations, this is a city you won’t want to miss!
Andes Mountains
For the nature-loving volunteer, a weekend trek through the Andes Mountains could be the perfect way to spend a free weekend.
Beginner Spanish speaker? We recommend arriving early for at least one week (two or more are recommended!) of lessons and fun cultural activities. Additional fees apply.
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