Youth Find Their Voices Working with Horses

Horses Help Canada #1 (592x800)Interacting with animals is known to provide therapeutic results, but most animal therapy involves dogs. At Horses Help Canada, founder Jane Saundercook has designed programs to help youth deal with social and emotional difficulties through direct interaction with horses. She notes that horses also provide unconditional love and have a unique ability to reflect what their handler is feeling. In other words, there is no way to con a horse! This reflection of themselves helps youth become more self-aware, which is the first step to building healthy relationships and developing communication skills. Partnering with horses helps them work through issues of fear and anxiety leading to improved confidence. She founded the organization in 2011 after being inspired by the improvements she witnessed in her own son’s behaviour and the improvement in his emotional well-being after his interaction with horses as a teenager.

Saundercook explains that one of the factors contributing to the distress experienced by many youth these days can be attributed to what she refers to as a Nature Deficit Disorder. That is why the ranch where she holds sessions where youth at risk and those with special needs is a device-free zone- no technology is allowed!

The not-for-profit organization operates out of Triple Creek Ranch at 5723 10th Line in Bailieboro where it runs sessions each Friday from April until November (funds permitting) to groups of up to 8 youth. They own one horse and lease three more from the ranch owner, and during sessions there are at least 20 volunteers on hand, as safety is a priority. While the experience is therapeutic, none of the staff are trained therapists, but they are experienced with horses and many have graduated from the program.

Since its inception, 242 youth have passed through the organization, which has been building partnerships with local groups and agencies to get the word out about their program. Last May they hosted students from Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary sponsored in part by the Durham Regional Police. The organization welcomes groups or individuals, and applicants can apply to Peterborough Social Services for potential funding.

The not-for-profit organization is holding an Open House event at the ranch on September 10th from 10am to 2 pm where they will introduce the program and provide the opportunity to participate in on-the-ground equine activities including grooming, leading and tacking. This will allow participants to see how horses communicate through body language and witness the calming effect of interacting with these animals in a natural, healthy setting. Just leave your phones in the car! KG

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