eat news - equine-assisted...

August 2015 EAT Newsletter

EAT News From the Director’s Desk …

MY THERAPIST HAS FOUR LEGS In continuing our series on the Spirit Horse Therapy methods, this month’s article hopes to answer some of the most asked questions about some of the changes you’re seeing in our lessons. ~Carla Abernathy, Instructor in Training The Steps of Spirit Horse

The Spirit Horse Program is made of 70 progressive steps in “Rhythm and Balance” and 18 progressive steps in “Reinsmanship.” The first step is an ankle and shoulder hold at the walk. Once this step is mastered, the rider moves on to step two. Each step must be done in order and each step must be mastered before moving on to the next step. In order to reinforce learning, the rider will review the last few steps mastered in the previous class. Right now the steps seem slow and things look fairly basic for some rider's but yes, in the steps of this therapy program, participants are taught to ride a horse and, although this is a skill of difficulty and pride, remember EAT’s mission statement:

Equine-Assisted Therapy, Inc. has but one purpose; that is to provide horsemanship experiences to persons with mental, physical and psychological disabilities in order to enhance the quality and productivity of their lives.

With that in mind, all lessons will be planned with each individual participant, their needs and abilities in mind and a rider will not be pushed to be more advanced than which they are ready . We love working in “baby steps” and feel things have a bigger and more long-lasting impact when cognitive memory AND muscle memory are involved. Secondly, the principal goal of the Spirit Horse Program is:

“To assist each child with special needs in reaching their full potential through interaction with horses”.

Each step is based upon research from universities and medical schools. Most of this research is based on neuroscience, or the study of the brain. This is exciting stuff ! Neuroscientists used to think that the brain was static and that we could not change the brain, we could only kill off or damage brain cells. Research now shows that we are constantly building and making new neuro-pathways every day. Spirit Horse is a key that works to unlock whatever hinders the brain from making healthy networks and gets it from the brain to the mind and body. Spirit Horse is really an exciting program.

The steps start with the very important ability to sit and be in balance on the horse. Maintaining balance on the horse causes brain activity. The movement of the horse that stimulates this process of balance correction improves bilateral coordination. It is believed, that as bilateral coordination is improved, it stimulates the development of new neural connections between the hemispheres.

Participants are also riding in circles but there is more to these circles than meets the eye. They are really a brain workout in disguise. Specific hemispheres in the brain can be underdeveloped as with the diagnosis, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or a hemi-sphere can be damaged in a Traumatic Brain Injury. When the participants circle, the action of each hemisphere is targeted and isolated in order to restart and rehabilitate the underdeveloped hemisphere of the brain. Circles start with a warm up for the stronger hemisphere of the brain. Counter clockwise circles use the right hemisphere to balance the left side of the body. After the warm up, the intervention begins as the participant circles clockwise and the left hemisphere begins to work to balance the right side of the body. Circles will start in different directions based on the rider and the hemisphere that is being targeted. Fig-ure 8s are also being used to stimulate both hemispheres and integrate learning.

At Equine-Assisted Therapy, we have been collecting data on the results of using The Spirit Horse Program. We want to offer the best program for each of our participants and their individual needs. While we are not physicians or therapists, we use sta-tistics to back up our lesson plan choices. Right now, the results show that 50% of the kids unable to sit up on their own at their first lesson were able to sit up on their own by the 7th lesson. We have over 100 pages of data to look through so I’ll save this topic for another newsletter. However, we’re always here to talk with you about what we’re doing and even have handouts for you to read if you like. Or you can visit the Spirit Horse site at: www.spirithorsetherapy.com

DEFINITION: Therapeutic

– an activity is therapeutic if a participant derives benefit, shows improvement or feels better once engaged.

( see Spirit Horse Q & A on Page 3 )

http://www.spirithorsetherapy.com


EAT News 2015 — EAT HoeDown for Hope


EAT News Spirit Horse Program — Q & A

Quick Questions & Answers

Q What's going on with all the changes at Equine-Assisted Therapy?

A EAT is integrating Spirit Horse International's Program into our class curriculum.

Q Why is this being done?

A Our mission at EAT is to enhance the quality and productivity of the lives of our participants. The Spirit Horse methods

have proven to be an effective intervention with significant results that assists individuals with conditions involving the weakness of either the left or right brain hemisphere – Autism, ASD, Downs, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, stroke - in reaching their full potential through interaction with horses.

Q Was something wrong with the way we were doing lessons?

A No, not at all. However, in recent years there has been a lot of research on the brain. Neuroscience has shown that there

is so much more to brain development, brain pathways, and the ability to make new connections than was known before. Spirit Horse, Baylor University and UNT used this research to develop a model specifically for those with right/left hemi-sphere weakness in addition to the fine/gross motor & cognitive activities we have applied for 11 years.

Q Why are participants doing so much grooming and leading? Why are they doing this instead of just riding?

A Remember the mission at EAT is not to provide riding lessons, but to enhance the daily lives of our participants. Spirit

Horse is an Equine-Assisted Healthcare Program. Grooming, leading, and tacking are very effective interventions. These activities build self-esteem, develop a sense of self-sufficiency and accomplishment and build sequencing and speech skills.

Q Why do we go in circles?

A The circles target and isolate each hemisphere of the brain. We start by warming up the stronger hemisphere and then,

turning in the other direction and therefore using the opposite hemisphere, helps the participant exercise, restart and rehabilitate the underdeveloped or injured side of the brain.

Q Why don't we do a thigh hold anymore?

A By not using the thigh hold, participants are able to develop their vestibular system. The body's balance signals originate

in the vestibular system. By using an ankle hold, the signals wake up, exercise engagement and the muscle groups throughout the body are strengthened.

Q What are the steps? Will we go through all of them in a session?

A The steps start with an ankle and shoulder hold at a walk, then it moves on to two-point positions. Each step builds on the

previous one and each step must be mastered before going to the next one. This is a very important part of participants achieving the full benefit from the SH methods. This is not a race to see who gets through the steps and we will not com-plete them all in a lesson or a year or maybe even ever. This is completely individualized.


EAT News Volunteers in Action !!


EAT News Volunteers in Action !!

EAT sends a huge Thank You! to the following past and present Corporate Donors

LIBERTY MUTUAL

LIVING WORD METHODIST CHURCH

AMEREN

NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

MO CAMEO CLUB

TRULASKE FOUNDATION

SUGARBAKER FAMILY FOUNDATION

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST COUNTY

SCHNUCKS ESCRIP

LUCKYS MARKET

EMERSON CLIMATE CONTROL

LITTLE GYM OF FENTON

BETHEL METHODIST

DAVE SINCLAIR

GIVING BACK FUND

THE SANDERS GROUP

WELLS FARGO

CALLIERS CATERING

D. SEWELL, WW ALDERMAN

KONA ICE

NORWEX

MET LIFE

CRESCENT FARM

AT&T

ST LOUIS FIREFIGHTERS

WADDELL CONCRETE

Sanders Group

Sugarbaker

Foundation

D. Sewell

WW Alderman


EAT News

A number of people are always working behind the scenes to keep our facilities beautiful and running smoothly:

David Hunt of St Louis Equine Veterinary Services in Eureka

Homestead Veterinary Hospital

Rick Winheim – farrier

Dave Thompson – farrier

Lucy Allen – 2 prs of boots

Carla Abernathy and Peggy Browne for hosting the Annual Kirkwood Middle School Field Trip at T&C

Keith Pey – EAT Newsletter Editor

EAT Office Staff - Lindsey and Brandon

EAT Barn Buddies

EAT Tack Pro — Rick Turner

EAT Volunteers

EAT Board of Directors

EAT Donors/Supporters

EAT Therapy Horses

Steve Dickinson & Lee Foster – sprayed and weeded our entire fence line

Volunteers Hannah Dial, Kyla Rotty & Rachel Miazza – treated EAT’s therapy herd to a spa day!

King Chuck & Scott Smith have been training our leaders, worming the herd, working with our horses, putting out hay

Abby Steinhoff, while home for the summer, has been working with Prince Brady and Tex while

Volunteers Peter Rumbolo & King Dave Holst set up an easy system for Cowboy to get his daily meds

Queen Spring often fills in when volunteers are short – she was on her NINTH class of the week by Wednesday!

Scott Smith & Keith Weber keep the fields cut and arena in dust-free condition

Variety, the Children's Charity – annual support

Shawn Bower—MasterCard Matching gift donation

Volunteer Mary Wyatt turned her hours in to her place of business, Pfizer, for a $1,000 donation!

Peggy Browne—provides joint supplements for our T & C Herd that need a little help in that area

The Holloways and their rescue horses for donating their halters and lead ropes

Shawn Bower - in honor his Dad, Bob, on Fathers Day

Karen Miller – in memory of EAT Participant, Joseph Gold-man

Cecilia Burgett – donation in memory of her mom, Sharon Mueller

Stacy Rolfe – donated her precious gelding, Houston, and a handsome check to help care for his needs

Dan Feinstein & Vickie Weathers - donated new muck bucket for T&C

First Community Credit Union – held their annual fund raiser for EAT. Thank you FCCU!!!!

Pott Foundation – annual support - Thanks John!

Christina Tobin – monthly donation

King “Donut” Dave Holst for the weekly donuts and a CASE of fly spray for the ‘boys’!!!

The Lohman Family

Randy & Susan Taylor

Julie Turkowski – donation in honor of Grant Taylors birth-day

Ian and Melanie Halley – Drove past our T&C facility and saw kids riding bringing back wonderful memories of their son Graham riding with us. They sent a donation in Gra-hams memory.

Christine & Aly Mikesell ran a fund raising ½ marathon in Bryce Canyon with proceeds going to EAT. They raised $2731!!!!

Jason Jennings – Specialty farrier – for working with Sox’ lameness issue completely free of charge

Eric Bachman for cleaning the Barn Buddy corner at WW including washing all the feed pans and helping Gary with a hay delivery

Trevor Hill for giving EAT a deal on his round bales of yum-my hay! – signed, Hero

Give STL Charity Event Donors !

John Robinson Hilary Perkins

Ashlee Brockenbrough Jessica Tomaselli

Kathryn Botney Sue Burgess

Alicia Russo Carol Noellsch

Lee Wedding Donors !

Roger and Carla Abernathy Michelle Beczkala

Bonnie Gates Keith & Mary Cecilia Fear

Norman & Terri Grubb Daniel & Keelyn Swidrak

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You


EAT News 2015 — EAT HoeDown for Hope

Equine-Assisted Ther-

apy

3rd Annual

Horseshow Sunday, October 18th 2015

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

at

Equine-Assisted Therapy

3369 Hwy 109

in Wildwood, MO Participant Registration is due by

October 4th, 2015.

A BBQ lunch will be available from 11:00 to 2:00

pm for $4.00. This includes a burger, chips and a drink.

Bring your own lawn chairs for viewing the show.


EAT News

Lucky’s Market

Equine-Assisted Therapy is one of those nonprofits that benefitted from the Bags for Change program sponsored by Lucky’s Market. When customers shopped with a reusable bag at Lucky’s Market in Ellisville, at the checkout they received a wooden dime for each bag to donate to a local nonprofit. Lucky’s matched each donation made !

Thanks to all who participated !

How many people does it take to put socks on a horse?

How many people does it take to put socks on a horse?

Well, if the horse is Brady, it takes a few more than usual – not that people “usually” put socks on horses!

Poor Brady the Clydesdale was being attacked by flies this year – the flies being especially bad due to the rain – and he would try to swipe the flies off of his legs using his big, huge hooves which only created more scrapes which attracted more flies. What to do, what to do?

Well, there happens to be a couple in Tallahassee Florida that make Whinny Socks for equines for just this purpose. Paula & Raymond Petterson – www.socksforhorses.com – worked carefully with me to figure out how to cre-ate an extra large set of Whinny Socks for Brady and sent them up, complete with instructions for making the perfect sock for our big boy, saving us money on having a seamstress in Florida put them together.

Enter John & Sue Ragsdale who so graciously sent a check to pay for the socks and Terri Jordan who used her creative genius to size these socks to Brady's big legs.

Once completed, it would take a very special man to get Brady to agree to wearing socks in front of his herd mates! Scott Smith is Brady’s very good friend and Brady trusts Scott implicitly! While Terri and son – EAT Participant Cody – stood in the wings for on-the-spot alterations, Scott wrestled the socks over Brady's massive hooves.

Brady is stylin’ his lovely socks and blissfully fly free today and the answer to the opening question? 7 !

It takes 7 people to put socks on a horse!

http://www.socksforhorses.com


EAT News Barn Buddies - Meet Dan & Vickie

Meet two of our Barn Buddies, Dan & Vickie. Thanks Dan for taking the time to share your info . . .

“ The both of us love being around horses. From age 8 to 14 I took riding lessons in the English style and Vickie owned 4 horses for a number of years. While visiting the Town and Country location, Vickie and I were very impressed with the Equine Therapy Program. When we found out we could become Barn Buddies, we jumped at the chance. How wonderful is that! To be around wonderful horses and people! For Vickie and myself, it is a labor of love. The both of us want to express our thanks for being accepted with those other horse lovers in taking care of such wonderful horses. “ ~Dan & Vickie

A Big Thank You to Liberty Mutual for spending 2 days helping out EAT and working like dogs . . .

Thank you to Newlyweds Monica & Scott Lee for referring donations to EAT in lieu of wedding gifts — what a great idea that is greatly appreciated !!

The following was on their Wedding Invitations :

“In Lieu of Gifts, donations may be made to:

Equine-Assisted Therapy, 3369 Hwy 109, Wildwood, MO 63035”

THANKS to Volunteer, Peggy Browne, who invited her friends to Longview Farm Park to picnic, see where Peggy volunteers and meet the therapy herd. Two of Peggys friends sent donations following what must have been an encore production by Peggy, explaining all we do at EAT. Thank you Peggy for being such a wonderful example of the entire EAT family!

Also, a big thanks to Peggy's friends, Pat Brucker and Janet Schneider! For their thoughtful donations

22 National Charity League moms and daughters joined EAT on July 1st to learn about our mission, our focus, our goals and how we all come together to make things happen for our participants in hopes of joining the EAT family.

The NCL is a great group of ladies wanting to make this world a better place. At the end of the meeting they stuck around and put together birthday bags to hand out to our kids on their special day! How thoughtful!

Thank you ladies.

More Thank You’s to EAT’s many “helping hands”


EAT News Tex & Goose on the Move ! !

Two of EAT’s therapy horses have a new assignment! Tex & Goose are going to the Justus Family to be a part of their therapeutic program for families with foster and adopted kids.

This program will be a haven of chickens, dogs, horses and, since meeting Tator and Spuds, they’re hoping a mini donkey in the future. We know the kids will love Tex and Goose as much as Tex and Goose are going to love all the attention from the kids.

EAT Instructor Linda Taylor had this to say about Nicole :

“ We have been blessed to have Nicole Zimmerman as a volunteer sidewalker and horse leader at Town & Coun-try for about 3 years. The horses and riders love her as she gives respect and love to them.

One of our participants usually says, "Nicole, are you going to be my side-walker or leader today"? As a sidewalker, Nicole helped the rider follow thru with the directions given and as a horse leader she follows the training she received and is always alert to what the horse is doing.

Nicole will attend Mississippi State in their pre-vet program in August. Our loss is their gain. We will truly miss you Nicole but we look forward to

hearing of your experience and successes. “

Nicole’s Profile :

“ I am a recent graduate from Marquette High School and am about to head off to Mississippi State University to begin my studies to become a veterinarian.

I began riding horses when I was in second grade and loved being able to share this experience with other kids. Every time I get to go out and volunteer I am amazed by how excited the kids are to spend time with the horses and by the changes I have seen in the ones I have helped for a few years now.

The participants and volunteers are some of the most kind-hearted people I have ever met and I enjoy getting to be with them so much. I can’t imagine what it will be like to not have EAT to help with every week once I go to college, but will definitely be looking forward to coming back next summer to see these kids again.

~ Thanks again, Nicole Zimmerman “

Volunteer Spotlighty - Nicole Zimmerman

EAT partnered with 2 area groups last month in hopes of reaching our youth to become compassionate souls against bullying and discrimination:

Whole Foods Market – story hour at the barn

Kids Who KARE Camp, LLC

These EAT family members referred EAT to their places of business for lovely donations!

Tina Kramer, STASL * Mary Wyatt—Pfizer

Denise Crow, AMGEN * Mark Dorsey—Praire Farms

Ian Halley & Jeff West, Boeing

Cheryl Barnett, Liberty Mutual


EAT News

Session 4 Aug 2nd – Sept 19th – both locations

3rd ANNUAL HOE DOWN – SATURDAY Sept 26 – 4 – 8 pm at WW

No classes Sept 5th, 6th or 7th for Labor Day weekend

No Sunday Class Sept 13th—make up class Sept 20th

Session break – no classes Sept 21st – Sept 26th

Session 5 Sept 27th – Nov 13th – WW

Sept 27th – Oct 24th – T&C

FALL FESTIVAL – Saturday Oct 3 – 3 pm – 6 pm – T&C

No classes October 3rd for Fall Festival

4th ANNUAL PARTICIPANT HORSE SHOW – SUNDAY OCT 18th – 10 am – 2 pm at WW

VOLUNTEER THANKSGIVING DINNER – SATURDAY NOV 14th – 6 pm – 8 pm at WW

No classes Sunday Oct 18th for the Participant Horse Show

No classes Saturday Nov 14th for Volunteer Thanksgiving Dinner

Join us for our HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE – Friday Nov 20 from 2 – 8 pm and Sat

Nov 21 from 10 am – 4 pm at our Wildwood facility

Scott Smith, 2013 King of volunteers, made a special

trip back to Vietnam this year on a very different mis-

sion than he did in the early 70’s. Scott served on a

medical mission team to bring vaccinations, healthcare

and dental care to hundreds of villagers. What a guy!

2015 - EAT Calendar . . .

Scott Smith - Return Trip to Vietnam


EAT News

EAT’s Mission . . .

Equine Assisted Therapy - Contact Info

EAT Office Team

Lindsey Roscoe

Brandon Benefield

Phone: (314) 971-0605

Executive Director

Ginni Hartke, RN

Phone: (314) 221-3642

[email protected]

T& C Barn Mgr

Carla Abernathy

Phone: (314) 630-5479

Equine-Assisted Therapy – Program Addresses

EAT - Business Office

5591 Calvey Creek Rd

Robertsville, MO 63072

EAT - Longview Farm Park

13525 Clayton Rd Town & Country, MO 63141

EAT — Wildwood

3369 Hwy 109

Wildwood, MO 63038

Newsletter Editor : Keith Pey

Email EAT : [email protected]

visit our web-site: www.eatherapy.org

Equine-Assisted Therapy, Inc has but one purpose;

that is to provide horsemanship experiences to per-

sons with mental, physical, and psychological disa-

bilities in order to enhance the quality and

productivity of their lives.

Please ‘like’ us on Facebook

www.facebook/eatherapy

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.eatherapy.org

http://www.facebook/eatherapy

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