Meet Dr Pravani Naidoo, our team member involved with the Therapeutic Horse Riding Community Service Learning Project at Equistria, who lectures in the Psychology Department at the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein. She currently supervises research within the field of Positive Psychology, including studies regarding adolescent well-being, mindfulness, and leisure engagement. Dr Naidoo is also interested in the application of Positive Psychology principles and constructs to understanding the experiences of individuals with disabilities.
Arising from her earlier engagement in horse riding as a sport and recreational activity, and based on her interest in interventions to promote well-being amongst individuals with disabilities, and the Psychology of Disability, she co-ordinates the Therapeutic Horse Riding Community Service Learning Project at Equistria. The project assumes a multidisciplinary team approach and entails Psychology Honours PSHC 6804 students engaging with learners from the Lettie Fouche school and the horses at Equistria on a weekly basis.
A group of her Honours students, was also honoured with the best postgraduate Service Learning Award during 2016.