Disability advocates say NDIS changes disregard alternative therapy benefits

On the red earth surrounding Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, a heart-warming scene unfolds: a large, dark bay horse gently nudges a smiling 16-year-old named Cooper. Sporting a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, Cooper cherishes this connection with his equine friend.

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Cooper initially harboured doubts when his parents suggested equine therapy as a means of bolstering his confidence and improving his emotional regulation during a challenging period. However, he decided to give it a try, and the results, according to him, have been transformative.

“When I’m with the horses, I can relax and focus on them,” Cooper explains. “It helps me regulate my emotions. Being in control of such a large animal makes the other big things in life seem less scary.”

During his first equine therapy session, Cooper formed a bond with a horse named Rio. “Rio’s the biggest and scariest,” he says. “He weighs over half a ton. They say he has ADHD, which is OK because I do too.” As Cooper gently brushes Rio in the shade of a gum tree, both appear remarkably serene.

Cooper, who also has autism, previously accessed equine therapy through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, this funding ceased following recent government changes to the NDIS aimed at reducing costs, which included the removal of funding for equine therapy.

Disability advocacy groups have voiced concerns to the government, arguing that some of the new rules are overly “medicalised” and fail to recognise the benefits of alternative therapies. This feedback was part of a consultation period regarding the new NDIS support rules.

What is Equine Therapy?

Equine therapy falls under the broader category of animal therapies, which encompass activities designed to provide individuals with positive experiences involving animals. These activities can range from petting rabbits to playing with puppies or horse riding. The primary objective is often to assist individuals in coping with or recovering from mental and physical health conditions, although the specific goals can vary.

Why the Funding Cut?

The NDIS will now only fund supports that are “evidence-based” or directly linked to an individual’s disability. Equine therapy has been classified as an “alternative” or “complementary therapy,” placing it in the same category as treatments like tarot card reading, aromatherapy, and crystal therapy, which are no longer funded.

However, assistance animals, such as guide dogs, that are specifically trained to help individuals manage their disabilities will continue to receive funding. Animal-assisted therapy, where a qualified therapist uses an animal to facilitate therapy sessions, also remains funded. Similarly, music and art therapy will still be funded, provided the therapists are registered with the relevant peak bodies, which require recognised training and accreditation.

Concerns from NDIS Participants and Advocates

During consultation sessions, disability peak bodies highlighted that some supports no longer funded by the NDIS, such as alternative therapies, can be effective for individuals with disabilities when they meet their specific needs.

One concern is that the new rules are too focused on medical treatments and do not adequately consider the benefits of some alternative therapies. Additionally, there are concerns that remote communities require separate consideration due to service gaps in rural areas.

People with Disability Australia has expressed concerns that the “evidence-based” approach is problematic because people with disabilities have historically been excluded from research, especially clinical research. This means that the available evidence may not fully reflect their lived experiences.

The lack of consideration for those living in non-metropolitan areas is another concern, as registered therapists may not be readily available in regional and remote areas, limiting access to funded support services.

The Impact on Service Providers

Lynette Keleher, owner of Breakthrough Equine Therapy, where Cooper receives his lessons, has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of equine therapy on hundreds of young people with NDIS funding. She compares it to learning a new language or musical instrument, as it engages the body, brain, and emotions.

“Equine provides a feeling of accomplishment, promotes happiness and confidence from within,” Keleher explains. “We have a retainment rate of 90 per cent. Week after week, our clients return eager to see their favourite horse and reconnect. You can see their troubles, negative thoughts, and self-doubts disappear.”

Prior to the changes, approximately 50 per cent of Breakthrough’s clients were NDIS participants. However, the business has had to adapt by offering other services. The financial impact has also resulted in a reduction in staff, many of whom were NDIS participants employed through Breakthrough.

Personal Stories of Loss

Jo Russell, a resident of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, shared that her 21-year-old daughter, Megan, regularly attended equine therapy sessions at Breakthrough. “It was something I was quite devastated that she lost,” Russell says. “The gains she had made matched up with her NDIS goals. It aligned with what we were trying to develop and create for her, and with that little stroke of the pen, it’s all gone.”

Megan, who requires full-time care and is non-verbal, has autism, an intellectual disability, and hip dysplasia. Her mother explained that the equine therapy sessions provided both psychosocial and physical benefits. The physical benefits stemmed from sitting upright in the saddle and riding, which improved Megan’s mobility, posture, and flexibility. The psychosocial benefits arose from feeding and grooming the horses and interacting with staff, which helped bridge the interpersonal gaps resulting from her autism.

Unfortunately, continuing the sessions without NDIS support is financially impossible for the family. “She is on a disability support pension. I’m on a disability support pension. I couldn’t afford it for her, she couldn’t afford it for herself,” Russell said. “We had no choice but to withdraw because skill, knowledge, and therapy come, understandably, at a price.”

Regional Disparities

Russell emphasized that these changes disproportionately affect regional and remote communities like Kalgoorlie-Boulder, which already struggle to attract and retain experienced specialists and health professionals. “We have very little here to fall back on,” she stated.

The Need for Oversight

Professor Pauleen Bennett, a psychologist and animal-assisted therapy expert, acknowledges the potential benefits of activities like equine therapy. However, she cautions that the term “therapy” can be misleading, and the lack of regulation and oversight could potentially cause harm.

Bennett stresses the importance of distinguishing between therapy and other activities, emphasizing that therapy requires a qualified therapist. She suggests that the NDIS consider accrediting organisations that offer animal-assisted activities, but without labelling them as therapy.

Without proper checks and balances, anyone can claim to provide animal therapy, making it difficult for individuals to determine the quality and effectiveness of the service. “We need some way of ensuring that the activities that they’re doing are having a positive benefit,” Bennett stated.

Meanwhile, Cooper and his family are closely monitoring the outcome of the NDIS Support rules review. Although Cooper has not completely stopped equine therapy, the reduced funding means that his visits will be less frequent.