Why me and horse therapy?
Posted by Liz Shelley on Mon, Sep 07, 2009 @ 09:18 PM
Why me? How did I get into this? Why is it that a non-special needs adult with a full life and busy career decided to give time to volunteer with horses, special needs people and learn about Hippotherapy and Equine assisted therapy?
Well-I'll tell you. I took lessons as a child growing up in CT. From there I hack rode. Had friends with horses in the summer, and of course the occasional vacation where horses could be ridden. I took the chance to ride when I could.
At one point in time I did home health care with brain injury patients and followed alternate methods of engaging the brain as part of the rehabilitation work I did with the clients. With a degree in psychology, and minor medical training with the home health care company I adopted an interest in the workings of the brain, and how alternate methods of therapy can be so beneficial.
Jumping ahead to a few years ago, I was working a high stress job and buried in business. I would drive past this farm every day for a few years. I always said to myself-gee wouldn't it be great to ride again? I let myself daydream about having the time and money to ride again and maybe get a horse of my own.
I finally broke down and called one day. To my dismay and to my surprise the farm was a not-for profit farm dedicated to disabled riders and utilizing Hippotherapy and equine assisted therapies to benefit all kinds of children and adults with all kinds of disabilities.
The dismay was that I had been driving by for 3 years! I instantly signed up for the volunteer work.
What an amazing place with amazing staff, and amazing clients. OH and amazing horses!
It's humbling. Everywhere you turn there is someone (an instructor, staff member or working student) putting in their all. Around every corner is a beautiful horse with a very important rider.
I was hooked. There is not enough time to spend there. A couple of hours a week is all I could afford. I went no matter what-as I said. It's humbling to watch all these people who are dependent on others for their care be able to smile, relate, learn and understand and be independent!
I learned the horses (although I STILL can't identify or name them all.) I learned the riders who came in during my times. I learned the amazing skills that the therapists and instructors had. I learned that there was patience and determination within EVERYONE.
I still have so much to learn.
To see the smiles on the parents faces when their kids look at them and say a word correctly, or say "woah pony" and the horse stops is such a great thing to see.
The rewards are huge.
I am still only a volunteer, and go when I can. However-seeing the hard work and determination behind the riders and staff is enough for me to stay hooked.