Posted on 12/28/2017 6:36:34 AM PST by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — Nine-year-old Joshua Harrington loves Tuesdays.
From the time he started kindergarten, this fourth-grader has been visiting CANTER (Cochise Area Network of Therapeutic Equestrian Resources) every Tuesday where he’s enrolled in a therapeutic riding program.
Harrington, who is autistic, is one of about 90 individuals that benefit from the program. The moment he settles onto the back of a horse, his entire demeanor changes. While riding around the arena on a horse named Hickory, Harrington goes from distracted to focused.
“He’s on the lower end of the (autistic) spectrum, so his communication and social skills are affected,” said Harrington’s grandfather, Bill. “This riding program has worked wonders for him. And he loves it.”
On a recent morning, the youth practiced stretching exercises under the watchful eye of Margaret Mills, one of CANTER’s two certified therapeutic riding instructors. Harrington was all smiles as he rode past his grandfather who was standing under a shaded area observing the riding session.
“Joshua enjoys riding so much that we signed him up to ride on Saturdays,” Bill said. “I believe in this program. Joshua has shown a lot of growth...His communication skills have improved as well as his motor skills.”
Fourteen-year-old Nathan Humphrey is another rider who has been with CANTER since kindergarten.
“I love this program and everything it’s done to help Nathan,” said Nathan’s father, Josh. “There’s something about horses that brings so much joy to these kids. I’m happy Nathan has this opportunity.”
The Palominas Elementary School seventh-grader is one of the students that rides independently, Mills said as she conducted a lesson from the center of the arena.
“One horse handler stays with him through the lesson, but he does not require the side walkers, nor does someone need to lead the horse for him,” Mills said. “I’m very pleased with how well he has done. He is independent on his mounting and dismounting as well.”
Currently, about 12 schools utilize CANTER for special needs children.
The program has two PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified therapeutic riding instructors — Mills and Janice Quain.
“Through the week, we see school children, but on Saturdays we work with both adults and school children,” Mills said. “We have a number of adults in our program, and we have return adults who started with CANTER while they were children.”
Lessons are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Weekday hours are from 8:30 a.m. until noon and Saturday hours are 9 to 10:30 a.m. Mills also said Saturday hours can be expanded, depending on the need.
She started out as a volunteer horse handler for two years and became a certified instructor about one year ago.
“I’m passionate about this program because I’ve seen the wonderful things it does for students. I’ve seen students with communications issues blossom and become more engaged with people and the horses,” she said. “Some of these children have trouble communicating with people, but relate beautifully with horses.
“And I’ve seen tactile sensitive children reach out and touch horses. It’s amazing to watch these relationships unfold.”
As a nonprofit, CANTER’s funding comes from a number of sources such as the school districts it serves as well as fundraisers and private donors.
There are times when children that have grown up with CANTER continue the program as adults.
CANTER started in 1993 with four students and a vision. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the facility is hosting an open house on Jan. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend the event, tour the grounds, watch demonstrations and meet the horses and volunteers that make the program happen.
For information, call Marcia Boczar at 520-459-4868.
Located at 7388 E. Chief Joseph Drive off Moson Road, CANTER has been offering therapeutic riding to individuals with special needs since 1993. The facility will be hosting an open house and 25th anniversary celebration on Jan. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m.
For information, call Marcia Boczar at 520-459-4868.
Local schools that use CANTER’s therapeutic riding services:
Sierra Vista Unified School District schools:
Buena High School
Joyce Clark Middle School
Pueblo del Sol Elementary School
Village Meadows Elementary School
Town and Country Elementary School
Huachuca Mountain Elementary School
Tombstone Unified School District
Tombstone High School
Walter J. Meyer School
Huachuca City School
Palominas School District
Palominas School
Coronado School
Some homeschooled and private school students are also enrolled in CANTER.
Start a CANTER program in you town?
thanks! the article also mentions PATH INTERNATIONAL aka Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
Why not introduce CANTER to Little Britches? I bet there are lots of successes that they could share with each other.
This post even may help parents considering, pondering, does it work/will it help?, introducing their child, to a Horse that they are not Alone.
Your daughter would probably enjoy, reading this CANTER story.
They are also using equine therapy for our wounded warriors. I believe it was Churchill who said “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man”. Horses are a great confidence builder for anyone.
So, find a Therapeutic Equestrian program near you, and at least voice your support.
Such s help they are.
Just make sure they are NICE horses!
I got one once in Hawaii that decided he hated me.
I ended up changing horses in midstream with the riding leader.
Mine liked me as soon as he learned that I kept a couple of Carrots or a sliced Apple in my Hat. Did you learn that trick for a treat for him?
Naw...this horse had a reputation all over the island. I found out later that he had been named after the Ancient Hawaiian God of WAR.
((((And i thought his name had to do with the color of his fur!)))
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