Hope, Healing, and Horses

By Fran Riley

Seven year old Izzy Stewart hugs Fancy. Her story is about the bond between horse and human.

Izzy struggled with reading. She had a hard time with words and putting sentences together.

Enter, the Juan Diez Rancheros Program. It’s a not for profit agency in Davenport, operating at the former Fejervary Zoo.

Director Michele Allison says the horses have a unique ability to sense a child’s emotions.

Izzy Stewart created a maze of words. That’s what reading represented to her. It was a distraction. However, when she walked through the maze with two horses alongside, the little girl felt calm and relaxed.

Instead of damaging it, the horses stood beside Izzy. Calm and composed. A show of support and encouragement.

That experience changed Izzy’s outlook. Now she says reading is one of her favorite subjects. She is more confident about putting sentences together.

That’s straight from the horse’s mouth!

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