Special needs
Our goal is to ensure that all individuals are able to benefit from our accessible and effective programs with horses and animals by helping them develop positive values and skills. We have seen the amazing changes that can come from working with horses in our students. We believe our unique concept can help address social problems and increase the quality of life and happiness.
The Alia Alassaf Academy offer classes for riders with special needs and disabilities. Private lessons prices will apply unless instructors require the extra help from another staff member such as a groom. After discussing a rider’s needs with their guardian or therapist, suitable arrangements will be made and adjusted prices will be offered accordingly.
Horses for healing
Horseback riding develops strength and balance, and increases self-esteem, benefiting individuals with conditions such as, autism spectrum disorder, hyperactivity disorder, impaired mental development, social problems, diabetes, eating disorders, learning disabilities, trauma or depression.
To receive individual attention, we offer specifically tailored horseback riding programs, by our highly qualified instructors.
- Happy with yourself!
- Building on my self-confidence.
- Being social, I can do that!
- I am angry and what now?
"My 8 year old son has been riding with the Alia Alassaf Academy for almost one year. My son has neurodevelopmental disorder that makes balance and coordination very challenging. In addition, he is non verbal. Bianca at Alia Alassaf Academy has worked with my son each week and he has made tremendous progress. Bianca has been very patient and encouraging with him and helped him grow and increase his riding abilities along the way, for which I'm grateful. I highly recommend Bianca and the Alia Alassaf Academy."
Amelia Beatty
US Embassy
"Sanad, my 5-year-old child is struggling with ADHD When he was first diagnosed with ADHD, at age 4 l felt so sad and upset and start looking for the best treatment options to help him. Luckily, someone suggested the Alia Alassaf academy, with a great horse riding instructor Bianca who finds a magical way to have a friendly relationship with my son and makes him feel comfortable to ask questions during and after the lesson and she is using a variety of teaching methods to find the best for him. With her kindness and love Sanad now learned how to ride, groom, feed, and interact with horses. Not only is it a fun and challenging hobby that he can carry with him into adulthood, but it also helps to build essential life skills in a safe and supportive environment."
Sanad’s mum
Jordan
"Bianca has trained our four years old daughter during spring. Bianca understood the challenges our daughter had in terms of attention and concentration from the first session. She knew how to deal with these challenges trough out the course, better yet Bianca was not judgmental at all. Her holistic experience with kids who had special needs made this possible. The environment she prepared for our daughter was amazing. Bianca used positive reinforcement with our daughter. The experience Bianca has in teaching, how to ride horses plus how to deal with kids with their different needs is a value added and is an amazing asset to our society."
Areej Q. Al Majali
Jordan
Interacting with animals
Meet, greet and interact with all your favorite animals!
Animals help in many unexpected ways; interacting with animals decreases levels of cortisol (a stress related hormone) and lowers blood pressure.
Animals can become a way to build a bridge for social interactions and can reduce loneliness and increase feelings of social support. Children develop better social skills, such as sharing and cooperation, and volunteering. Children who have consistent positive interactions with animals have fewer behavior problems and greater respect for others.
Unlike other animal places where children simply observe the animals from a distance, at The Alia Alassaf Academy, children get to hold, pat, feed and ride them for a first-hand experience.
Riding to recovery
The Alia Alassaf Academy is offering a non-profit lesson program for children with chronic illnesses such as cancer, leukemia, brain tumor, cystic fibrosis and sickle-cell anemia.