Athena Perkusich has been taking part in the Yawardani Jan-ga (Horses Helping) Equine-Assisted Learning program, run on the outskirts of Broome in the Kimberley region in Western Australia, for the past four years.
During her time in the program, Athena has formed a strong bond with Paris, one of the horses in the program, who has been her main riding companion. Paris has helped Athena learn to regulate her emotions and through the connection with the horse, she believes she has learnt self-control.
“I can really calm down when I’m with the horses … I can really slow down and I feel very happy.”
The Yawardani Jan-ga program, which means ‘good feeling from horses,’ is owned, developed and facilitated by Aboriginal community members – an involvement which has been critical in ensuring the greatest impact for Indigenous young people.
We are so grateful to all of our supporters who are helping these young people reach their full potential and flourish.
