Whispering Winds

Eye to eye, hand to nose, they share a hello.

This is each child's introduction to equine-assisted therapy at Whispering Winds in Mt. Pleasant.

Maybe someday they will ride, but just for today, these 11 students are asked to experience something new — all in the company of horses Brandy and Blue, caring professionals from NHS Autism School in Herminie and Claire LeJeune Kemp, owner of the stables and retreat center.

Kemp's Fulfilling Connections program, called Angels in Horse Hairs, founded in 2004, offers a distinctive approach in encouraging emotional, mental, behavioral and social growth in special-needs or at-risk children. Her course, “People Skills for the Socially Impaired,” was designed to help those who have difficulty reading people, understanding social cues and then reacting appropriately.

Through selected games and exercises, learning happens — all under the watchful eyes of a gentle team of horses.

"This is a whole different reality," Kemp said of the students' visit to her farm. "They're in the moment — the horses and kids. This skill can be transferred over to their lives."

By spending some time with the horses, students also can develop an awareness of body language, appropriate behaviors, a sense of others, listening skills and learn to follow directions — abilities that can be integrated into their everyday activities.

"It's important the students learn to tolerate new experiences on their own terms," said Shannon O'Donnell, occupational therapist at NHS. “In a place this open and serene, they have freedom to roam. They take to that right away. And the horses are pure instant biofeedback.”

Sometimes, the simplest things can offer some of the most significant successes. And so the students focused and smiled as they played "Dancing With the Horses" and "Simon Says."

"Dancing" was their first encounter with the brown-eyed creatures. As each child lifted a hand to touch the animals, the horses responded by bowing their heads in an act of submission, thus bringing the children closer and nearer to their therapy goals.

"Simon Says" reinforced listening skills. It was Brandy's team versus Blue's. "Take two steps forward," Kemp shouted, having only a few of the students move. But when Simon said to do so, the children, their caregivers and the horses took two strides and waited for their next instruction.

Waiting wasn't difficult for anyone under the sunny blue skies in the small, clean pasture. When the competition ended, everyone was a winner. But the best part of the day was yet to come.

With brushes and paint, the children were able to draw on the horses. Lindsey painted a shark on Blue; Fred, a rainbow on Brandy. There were circles and lines and patches of color — then, lots of praise for their artistic efforts. While the horses' heads towered above each artist, their shoulders and sides were as still as any canvas.

Kristen, one of Kemp's staffers, explained: "The horses like being painted because it feels a lot like mud, and they love mud."

But what's good for the horses is even better for the students. Kemp offers group experiences like this one or weekly courses with specific goals that partner an individual with a horse.

This kind of equine-assisted learning also teaches "confidence, self-awareness, honesty and respect," Kemp wrote in her class overview, "skills that are necessary to developing relationships and engaging in the learning process."

Kemp, who is a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and certified by Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, explained, “The reason equine-assisted learning is so powerful is you have a partner that demands you to be present, be a leader and, at all times, show respect.

“Horses absolutely love the children. They're at peace with these kids.” While some children have been known to pull at the horses' lips or touch inside their noses, she noted, the animals remain quiet and calm.

"The horses know they can help them."

At Emmaus

Emmaus Horsemanship, which “promotes spiritual, social, emotional and intellectual well being,” is taught at Victory Bible Chapel and Stables in Apollo under the experienced care of Pamela Santucci, director and instructor.

With a nine-stall barn, specially-trained horses and a dozen volunteers who assist the riders, she runs her equine-assisted therapy program that began in September 2006.

That year, Jamie Allen, a psychology student at the Penn State-New Kensington campus, wanted an internship that combined horses with special needs children. Santucci wrote the proposal and supervised the student’s work. Today, Allen serves as an instructor.

Through Emmaus Horsemanship, those who have emotional challenges, ADHD, head trauma, autism or related disorders can be helped with improved coping skills, relaxation, concentration and social communication, according to Santucci.

Individualized hands-on activities include grooming, tacking, safety and riding skills. Some students may learn to ride, but others benefit just from developing a bond with a horse.

The concept was embraced by the owners of Victory Stables, Dave and Sandy Hobbs, who provided a special home for Emmaus.

The Hobbs family had developed their 55 acres into a full-service equestrian center with a barn, 40 stalls, outdoor and indoor riding arenas, acres of pastures and miles of trails. They conduct themselves and their business from a Christian perspective and, for them, Emmaus is a ministry.

Santucci also describes her program as a Christian outreach. She chose the name Emmaus from a village in the Bible where Christ appeared along the road to two of his followers and shared an evening meal with them.

“It seemed fitting to name our program Emmaus Horsemanship,” she explained, “as we pray and have faith that Christ is walking along side us while on the horses and every other moment in life.”

While each student — whether a child or an adult — has individual goals to work on at each session, the main component is to have fun and relax.

Most of her students have autism and a life full of anxiety. But as they ride, they relax and enjoy. Santucci has seen parents cry tears of joy as they watch their smiling child astride a horse.

Parents also can ride with their children, enabling them to share a sports-related activity, something that isn’t possible with many special needs children.

Santucci encourages parents to participate in the learning activities and the led-trail rides. There, the countryside offers its own therapy of beauty and serenity to those who enter in.

For more information:

Whispering Winds, Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666 | 724-547-2550, www.wwsr.biz

Emmaus Horsemanship, Apollo, PA 15613 | www.victory-stables.com or emmaus-horsemanship.webs.com

Local Equestrian Team Shines in Special Olympics

Kristin Hermann is owner, manager and trainer at Coventry Equestrian Center in Washington, Pa. An experienced and passionate equestrian herself, she married the two therapies and produced two award-winning riders, Molly and Courtney, for the 2008 Special Olympics Summer Games.

This was the first time Washington County sent equestrian athletes to the summer games. Through special fundraisers, the Coventry Caravan was able to travel to Penn State to compete.

"With all kinds of special needs individuals,” she explained, “there was enough positive energy around that I think it could have fueled our planet with all the enthusiasm.”

Hermann's proudest moment was watching the athletes receive their medals. “That was even better than watching them compete,” she said. “All of the personalities were so different, you never knew what to expect.”

As the ceremony continued for hours, Hermann reflected on the day and the tremendous efforts that had taken place in each athlete’s life.

“I felt so honored to be part of this celebration. It was quite an experience and certainly one that teaches a person, such as myself, who was born with so much, gratitude.”

She has continued to translate that gratitude into a spirit of giving back and is delighted to share the wonderful blessings of her life and the farm with others.

Through her program at Coventry, Hermann has helped students with a variety of disabilities from the hearing impaired to those unable to coordinate or to walk.

"Some of the students — who range in age from 6 to 40 — may be challenged mentally and function perfectly," she said. And sometimes, therapy just offers emotional enrichment.

At her center, one young rider's transformation was amazing. In just two weeks, that boy's walking improved, and he held his head high.

Benefits also can be experienced by grooming a horse or petting a cat at the farm. Either can be an uplifting mental experience, according to Hermann. Visitors also increase physical coordination by riding or leading a horse.

Hermann, certified in riding in 1974 and with many awards in horsemanship, has run her center for 16 years. On the 32-acre site, she stays connected to her "innate" skills with horses, especially in the teaching of the students.

"Horses love being groomed, and this is therapy for all people whether special needs or not," she said. “It has been documented that coming to the barn lowers the blood pressure.”

For more information:

Coventry Equestrian Center, Washington, PA 15301 | 724-206-9902 or (barn) 724-223-9692, blythedale@comcast.net