H.E.A.L. program uses horses to help youths with challenges
By TED AMSDEN, NORTHUMBERLAND TODAY
Posted 4 days ago
GARDEN HILL -Jane Saundercook of Whitby is launching her new foundation, H.E.A.L. (Horse Education and Alternative Learning) this weekend at the Maple Crescent Farm on County Road 10 north of Garden Hill.
Maple Crescent is run by Boris Khaimovich as a trail riding, instruction and boarding horse ranch. H.E.A.L. is using the space and the animals to run its programs.
H.E.A.L. is offering programs for youth "who suffer issues of learning disabilities, (and) behaviourial challenges," according to the foundation's information package.
Saundercook sees horses as the perfect animals to teach young people about themselves and awareness of their surroundings.
This is "a place where youth can come to experience workshops with the horse as a teacher," she states.
"Kids can come and learn about self-awareness, deal with anxiety, anger, with whatever issues they may have."
The size of the animal, its receptiveness to emotions and the fact that it is a non-communicating animal like a dog are some of the reasons the horses will have an impact with those going through one of the programs, Saundercook says.
The programs run 12 hours and are broken up into different time segments according to needs. She says the workshops are "therapedic," not therapeutic. Learning about horses, interacting with them and the attendant learning growth of a person is seen as a complement to traditional methods.
Saundercook is expecting to find those who will use the programs are parents of children dealing with autism, Asperger's, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder and learning disorders.
She says research indicates interaction with horses improves the lives of affected children. And riding is not necessarily the end goal. It could be simply being near horses that is crucial for some. The riding program is graduated and not for all.
At this early stage of the organization linkages with other organizations are just initiating, Saundercook says. Her former profession as a paralegal has prepared her for helping parents access various funding opportunities.
"We are going to tap into... Autism Ontario," she says.
"There is an abundance of funding for youth. And it is actually our goal to create part of this organization where there is funding for kids to come. We have kept our rates at a very affordable level. It's $400 per 12-hour workshop.
"Away from the computer and out to the outdoors, in nature; the whole combination of this environment, in itself, is something that is calming and very pleasant," Saundercook says.
The public is invited to a barbecue at 9741 County Rd. 10 north of Garden Hill Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
