Donegal-based toy company Lottie Dolls have launched a gifting campaign for March after being inspired by the children of Ireland’s Education Centre for blind and multi-disabled children.
The Childvision Centre in Drumcondra is a truly remarkable place, so Lottie MD Ian Harkin recently discovered when he visited the National Education Centre for blind children.
The 150-year-old organisation is the only place in Ireland totally dedicated to the education and therapy needs of blind and multi-disabled children. Among the many, many various therapies conducted at Childvision, one of the most extraordinary is perhaps their equine therapy program.
Lottie Doll MD Ian Harkin visits Childvision Dublin
Horse-riding offers children the opportunity to improve joint mobility, balance and co-ordination. Engagement with the animals can also have profound effects on a child’s confidence and social interaction skills. Childvision is unique in its Equine service, offering a combination of both equine and occupational therapy using the horse as tool.
So astounding are the benefits of equine therapy that Childvision’s Audrey Darby, an occupational therapist and equine manager Terri Brosnan are soon to present a paper on the subject at the International Society of Anthrozoology (ISAZ) in Sydney around the theme of “Animals in Our Lives: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Study of Human-Animal Interactions”. The conference will be help from the 2nd – 8th July.
One of the centre’s most popular visitors, a five-year-old girl who by an amazing coincidence is also named Lottie, was on hand to welcome Ian to the centre.
Lottie Gottstein, who has a visual impairment loves visiting the centre and even has a favourite horse! The great work done by everyone at Childvision and the amazing children who, like Lottie attend it, prompted MD Ian Harkin, to announce a ‘Buy One, Gift One’ drive.
Lottie Gottstein with her favourite horse Echo from ChildVision’s Equine Therapy Centre. PIC JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY
For every Lottie Doll or horse bought on www.lottie.ie, the company will donate one Sirius Pony to the centre. Customers can add their donation to the purchase by using the code ‘CHILDVISION’ at checkout. The campaign will run from March 14th until the end of the month.
The Lottie Doll brand recognises the great work done by Childvision to encourage all children to actively enjoy horseriding in a way which increases their independence skills and inspires them to dream big!
Lottie Dolls has previously championed inclusivity in toys by collaborating with Toy Like Me, a non-profit organisation to develop the world’s first mass-produced doll with a cochlear implant. Mia the Wildlife Photographer was released in July 2017.
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