Youth Outreach

Horses can help youths in a number of ways, including:

• Building trust and self-esteem: Horses are large and powerful animals, and working with them can help at-risk youths to develop a sense of trust and self-esteem. When a young person is able to successfully interact with a horse, they learn that they are capable and worthy of respect.
• Teaching responsibility and compassion: Horses require a lot of care and attention. Working with horses teaches at-risk youths about responsibility and compassion. They learn that they need to be kind and gentle with the horses, and that they need to take care of their needs.

• Providing a safe and supportive environment: Equine therapy programs can provide a safe and supportive environment for at-risk youths. The horses are non-judgmental and accepting, and they can help young people to feel safe and valued.
• Improving social and communication skills: Equine therapy programs can help at-risk youths to improve their social and communication skills. They learn how to work together as a team to care for the horses, and they learn how to communicate effectively with the horses and with other people.
• Reducing stress and anxiety: Interacting with horses can help to reduce stress and anxiety in at-risk youths. The horses have a calming effect, and they can help young people to relax and de-stress.

Equine therapy programs can be a valuable tool for helping at-risk youths. They can help young people to build trust, self-esteem, and responsibility. They can also provide a safe and supportive environment for young people to learn and grow.

Here are some examples of how equine therapy programs can help at-risk youths:

• A young person who has been abused may learn to trust and bond with a horse in an equine therapy program.
• A young person who has difficulty with impulse control may learn to be more patient and gentle when working with a horse.
• A young person who has been bullied may learn to stand up for themselves and to assert themselves in an equine therapy program.
• A young person who is struggling with depression may find that interacting with horses helps to improve their mood and boost their self-esteem.

Equine therapy programs can be a life-changing experience for youths. They can help young people to overcome challenges, develop new skills, and build a brighter future for themselves.

Introducing the Magic of Boo

"Morgan fell in love with Scooby the pony. Morgan slurs because of the meds but somehow Desiree understood her. Morgan saw wild turkeys on her farm and asked questions about them. She helped brush Scooby; she helped take the tack on and off. She interacted with someone. She was here in reality. And I couldn't believe it. " - Danielle Frank

Here is our story. . . .
We have a very special little girl. In fact we have two wonderful daughters. Our Maddy is about to turn 12 years old. And she is vibrant; beautiful; patient; wonderful; and a great student. Our Morgan is way different than our healthy Maddy. Morgan is beautiful; shy; and wonderful however she has been diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. With that diagnosis she also has Attention Deficit Disorder; Anxiety; Night Terrors; Enuresis; Depression; Chronic Constipation; Medication induced Obesity; and Medication induced elevated cholesterol. She also exhibits signs of bipolar disorder. Quite the mouthful for a 10 year old little girl.

Our household is very different than most. We have been dealing with Morgan having a mental illness since she was 5 years old. However; we almost lost her beginning in August of 2013. I fell down our basement steps and shattered my ankle. Unfortunately; Morgan witnessed this accident. It was completely my own stupidity that it happened. I am blind as a bat without my glasses and I attempted to run down the steps to the laundry room without them on. Morgan somehow blamed herself for this accident; her psychiatrist explained it to us that she literally mentally broke inside. After I got home from the hospital we could see Morgan really was going down hill fast; her illnesses were taking over and she was disappearing in front of us. We were in the hospital several times; and on the phone with her specialists more times than any of us can count. Morgan would scream bloody murder and we couldn't figure out what was going on. She was angry; irrational; saying things like "we hated her"; "go away I can't hurt my mommy"; "stop touching me"; "No I won't do it." She would become fearful of our dogs. And she was getting violent towards us and her sister.

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