NCEFT Archives - Page 7 of 10 - NCEFT National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy

Pay it Forward

December 1, 2011 by Development Director

We do everything we can to keep our horses comfortable in their work as long as possible. From Glucosamine supplements to stalls outfitted with start of the art flooring, NCEFT makes sure our older equines are well equipped. However, no amount of loving care can stop the steady progression of time and the aches and pains that come with age. Earlier this year we decided that, at 20 years old, Boon was ready to enjoy the retirement he had earned.

Born in White Swan, Washington on May 8^th, 1991, Grey Billy Boon was the son of Boon Bars Best and out of a mare named Duster Suzy. As a 5 year old he was sold to Frank and Charlot Beard of Ellensburg, Washington. Owners of the Beard Rodeo Company, Frank and Charlot founded the Company in 1973, providing bucking bulls and horses for local rodeos. Their stock have made appearances at some of the nation’s greatest rodeos, including the PRCA Finals and 17 consecutive years at the National Finals Rodeo. We’re guessing that Boon was some kind of ranch horse, helping to move bucking stock and working the 160-acre Naneum Road ranch.

In 2001 at the age of 10, Boon was sold to the Montana based Dearborn Ranch for a sum of $12,500. It was there he met up with future NCEFT therapy horses Jazzy and Cody. Six years later the 3 of them were headed for California and their new careers at NCEFT.

Boon spent the next 4 years as a full-fledged therapy horse. From lined Hippotherapy to off-lead Therapeutic riding, he was both versatile and dependable. Then Boon started to slow down a bit, taking longer to warm up his often creaky joints and having difficulty managing steep hills. We knew it was getting to be time for Boon to enter retirement. The thing was, Boon didn’t want to retire. He loved daily attention from staff and was happiest when surrounded by at least a handful of adoring fans. By a wonderful set of coincidences NCEFT happened to become connected with the Veterinary Technician program at nearby Foothill College. They were looking for a patient horse to help teach students proper handling techniques, and Boon seemed like the perfect fit.

Boon is now a proud member of the Foothill College Family, sharing an expansive paddock with some friendly goats and sheep. We received a card the other week from the new students with what must be nearly 50 signatures, all thanking us for sharing our fantastic horse. NCEFT is not only thrilled to have found such a great home, but proud to be able to help out a program working to help train the people who keep our horses healthy. We’re so often the ones on the receiving end of generosity, we’re thrilled to be able to pay it forward.

2011 Volunteer Appreciation Party

November 11, 2011 by Development Director

Thanks to everyone who came; it was great catching up with our veteran volunteers and getting to know all the new ones!

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What’s in a Name?

November 8, 2011 by Development Director

The first time one of our young patients remembers your name is wonderful. It’s the moment when you start to feel like you’re doing something special, making a difference. You’re not just a sidewalker, a header, or a horse handler, you’re an individual, and someone would like to know why you’re not wearing your red baseball cap today.

The very first patient to remember my name was a little girl with a memory that could rival even the most astute of elephants. Standing barely taller than her horse’s belly, she easily climbed the steps of the mounting block and upon settling herself on the horse’s back, turned towards me and asked my name. Though she’d go on to ask that same question every ride for the next month, it was the only time she needed a response, and when told she already knew my name, would dutifully reply with the correct answer.

The recollection of a person’s name is so much more than merely recognizing a face; it’s recognizing a person’s entire set of idiosyncrasies, past interactions, and inherent personality. It’s saying I remember you; you’re the person who sings that ridiculous song about a whale with a polka dot tail, that’s my favorite, will you sing it again? And then they smile, and it’s the most beautiful smile full of tiny white teeth, and it seems as if it’s just for you.

It’s easy to feel as though you’re one of an endless sea of volunteers or staff, easily replaced and then soon forgotten. But if you think of all the times you’ve made a child happy, a child who might otherwise feel imperfect or marginalized, you’ll come to realize that you’re of vital importance. Only you can get that little boy to stop saying no and start saying yes. You’re the person who can lead Valentine while counting to ten in Romanian. It’s you who knows why Pluto isn’t in his TeePee on the sensory trail (he’s on vacation is Disneyland). You’re special and we will always remember your name.

There’s an App for that.

November 3, 2011 by Development Director

In a time where white earbuds are ubiquitous, and everyone seems to own an iSomething, it’s no surprise that even toddlers are benefitting from the tech-craze. With patients showing up to sessions iPads in hand, and parents asking for advice on the latest apps, we’re finding ourselves thrown head-first into the often overwhelming world of Assistive Technology.

Though there exists countless Assistive Education apps, those involving language may be most useful in the equine-assisted therapy setting. Children and adults who struggle with verbal language can use these tools to communicate their wants and needs. From asking their horse to “Go, please” to choosing a red ball over a blue ring, they can begin to interact more fully with the environment and the people within it. Studies, such as that done by Charlop-Christy, et al, indicate acquisition of these systems lead to increases in age-appropriate behaviors and decreases in negative behaviors.

Though tending towards a sales pitch (which it ultimately is), this clip from the iPad 2 keynote gives you an idea of how these applications are being put to use. Below you’ll find a small sampling of some of the available options:

Conversation Builder by Mobile Educational Tools is designed to help elementary aged children learn how to have multi-exchange conversations with their peers in a variety of social settings. The auditory pattern of conversation is presented in a visual format to help students recognize and master the flow of conversation. Students will learn when it is appropriate to introduce themselves, ask questions, make observations and change the subject of the conversation.

Custom Boards by Smarty Ears is designed to serve as a board and activity creator for speech therapists, teachers, special education and parents of children who need symbols to communicate and learn. Custom Boards includes over 11 thousand built in symbols from the Smarty Symbols library and the ability to add your own photos.

SoundingBoard by AbleNet SoundingBoard transforms your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad into the latest in communication technology. In just minutes, you can create create custom boards using AbleNet symbols or your own photos. Perfect for children in special education, persons on the autism spectrum, and adults with disabilities.

ABA “Emotion” Flashcards and Games by Innovative Mobile Apps is ideal for kids aged 1-4. Using flash cards and interactive games, this app helps children identify, understand, and respond appropriately to over 20 different emotions.

Janie

October 18, 2011 by Development Director

At only six years old, Janie ties Stormy for being the youngest NCEFT therapy horse. Bred in Atwater, California, Janie has the kind of bloodlines begging to be put to use in the cowhorse arena. Sold as a yearling to a woman looking to train her up as a cutting horse, it looked like Janie had a very bright future. Unfortunately, It wasn’t long before money ran short and Janie’s training was put on the backburner, leaving her to spend her days hanging out in the yard. That was when Sarah Warren came in to the picture. Seeing huge potential in her, Sarah decided to purchase Janie as a resale project.

Picking up where the old owner left off, Sarah was surprised by Janie’s gentle temperament. Despite having spent most of her life in a barbed wire pen, and being chased by a local pack of feral dogs, Janie was both trusting and willing. Sarah slowly worked through Janie’s fear of dogs, teaching her to faithfully follow her handler. When she realized how well Janie handled beginner riders and children, Sarah knew this was a therapy horse.

Bonnie ground drives Janie as part of her training for Hippotherapy work

A former NCEFT volunteer, Sarah had seen firsthand the healing power of horses. She’d had a number of horses over the years, some of whom seemed like they might have the makings of a therapy horse, but Janie was the first one Sarah had complete faith in. With a busy work schedule, Sarah was finding it hard to devote enough time to all three of her horses. After getting in touch with NCEFT, it was no more than a week or two before Janie was settling in to her new stall.

Our equine staff immediately went to work evaluating her temperament. Riding, lunging, leading, toys, and a host of other things many young horses would find terrifying. Janie impressed everyone, easily adapting to the daily routine. Though most new horses need a month or two of training before they’re ready for sessions, Janie had her first Therapeutic Riding lessons before she hit her one month mark. She needs a bit more practice between the lines before she’s ready for hippotherapy, but expect to be seeing a lot more of her over the next few weeks!

Pay it Forward

Pay it Forward

2011 Volunteer Appreciation Party

What’s in a Name?

There’s an App for that.

Janie

NCEFT: HORSES. HOPE. HEALING.

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