GeorgeGuns
11-28-2006, 07:00 PM
well, that is the name I came up with, still have to bounce it off my people. We have 3 possibly 5 dedicated souls, 3 of which are ministers, 1 is certified in theraputic riing and Equine Facilitated Therapy, all crazy about getting a horse related outreach program started. Besides needing prayer (and LOTS of it) I need guidance and ideas.
Info on getting 501c3 status and the easiest/least expensive resources (how much can be done by one person?). Would this need to be under a ministry or under a horse related group?
Do we need to corporate or go LLC or at all?
Website - who is the best free or rediculously cheap DIY web hoster?
How do we copyright name of this? Do we need to? Is it part of another process like getting the NP status?
One thing I do know we are going to need sooner than later is donated kids or adults riding helmuts.
What other practical stuff do I need to be working on?
Any monkey wrench ideas - please state them kindly ;-) I know this sounds really hairball to some, but its going forward, finally.
God is so GOOD! (yes, I had to say that, lol)
There was an article in PFHW (I think 2005) written by someone who develops these types of programs. Please consider contacting the author. Contact info is at the bottom of the article.
Paso Finos Changing Hearts at Promise Village: Home for Children
By Christine (Cunningham) Brancheau
Many of you may remember the gray Paso Fino mare, Marquesa International, who thrilled the show spectators with her exciting performances in the 80’s. She is still “wowing” the crowds, but in a different kind of daily performance.
Marquesa is one of the five Paso Fino horses that work as four-legged counselors in the residential treatment program for abused, neglected, and troubled children at Promise Village: Home for Children in Holly, Michigan. The animals, in a very real sense, take on the role as therapist with the residents they work with. They enable them to heal emotionally, develop self-confidence, become more empathetic, form attachments, and also develop a bond for maybe the first time in their life. The residents daily care for the animals that are part of the animal-assisted therapy program at Promise Village. This includes morning barn chores of feeding, watering, (and believe me in Michigan that requires a lot of discipline and dedication during the winter months!), and evening chores of cleaning stalls and feeding and watering again. And not to mention, lots of tossing hay bales around! Two or three times weekly the residents enjoy riding their horses, both in the beautiful indoor arena at Promise Village, and on the trails that wind through the 70-acre farm. The daily care of the animals is crucial in teaching the kids how to eventually care for their families. Many times these children have not had good role models and don’t understand the concept of being responsible caregivers for those that have been entrusted to your care. I have been blessed to watch them learn that responsibility of care goes hand-in-hand with privilege of “ownership” of the horses.
Dr. Tim Coldiron, Founder and Executive Director, of Promise Village: Home for Children, said, “Children connect with animals; perhaps because animals respond to them unconditionally. For some children, this is a first-time opportunity to experience a loving/bonding relationship. It creates a positive change and improves self-esteem in hurting kids.”
Each child is allowed to spend some time with the horses when they first arrive at Promise Village, and choose the horse they will work with. Many times the child will chose an animal that they feel reflects their own personality. Maybe it’s the head-strong horse that they wish to “tame”, or maybe the quiet introverted horse that they want to become friends with. I have witnessed life-changing transformations with the residents because of their special equine friend that they feel free to “trust”. Trust doesn’t come easily with many of the residents because past experiences have taught them to not trust anyone. Because of the God-given unconditional love that animals possess, the kids learn to trust their animal, and eventually will transfer that trust to people that provide treatment in the program at Promise Village. I have seen the child with ADHD pay attention on the Paso gelding with lots of “brio”; it was either that or be dusting the ground with their backside! I have also watched the Paso gelding with a “stand-offish” disposition put his head on the child’s shoulder and embrace him, just minutes after the child learned that his father had died. This horse hugged this child, and I saw it with my own eyes! Kevin had just received the news of his father’s death. It was animal program day, so although he was reserved, he still came to the barn. It was incredible to see the response of his horse, Zorro, who is usually quite the rambunctious one. I looked over to see Zorro softly nuzzling Kevin’s face and even to hold his face next to Kevin in a horse hug! The friendship that had developed between those two was in action on that day that a friend was so much needed.
“I was angry, impatient, lazy and smoking pot. I was disrespectful to my teachers and most adults. I quit school and was headed for serious trouble,” said Philp 17, of Hazel Park, who spent 13 months at Promise Village.
“Going to Promise Village was the best thing that ever happened to me. I learned to calm down. I was assigned chores every morning and evening and had a horse named Nino that I was responsible to care for. Dr. Tim, was a great role model. He helped me learn to trust in other people. And Nino helped me to feel needed,” said Phil.
“Why Does Animal Assisted Therapy Work?”
…Troubled youngsters can respond to animals in ways that they often can’t to people.
In many cases, the child, perhaps for the first time, experiences companionship, intimacy and a sense of inclusion and self-worth. Seen through a child’s eyes, an animal /friend is non-judgmental. The child perceives other benefits such as, unquestioned loyalty, physical contact and returned affection. It is not uncommon for at-risk children to feel depressed, withdrawn and even unwanted. In order for the healing process to begin, they need to feel connected and to experience a personal bond with another living thing. For some children, connecting with an adult or peer may be perceived as threatening. In such cases, an animal-friend becomes a logical alternative.
Animals can become safe transitional objects for the children to attach to and form a healthy bond with, while learning to care for and take responsibility for something. The animal can also help the child develop empathy and compassion as the child develops a relationship and forms a bond with the animal. The animal will listen to all of their cares, concerns and worries without exploding or criticizing the child. The uncritical, listening ear that the animal gives the child helps him/her learn to trust something, even if initially it is not a person. Ultimately, the goal is for the empathic skills and newly developed ability to trust, be transferred to the child’s relationship with other human beings.
Children learn important lessons by interacting/relating to animals. These lessons become stepping-stones for establishing connections with people. The experience of nurturing an animal and receiving affection in return, help establish feelings of self-worth, and as a result, the child may be encouraged to risk a human connection. Learning to care for animals seems to develop a sense of responsibility and caring among children who may not have known that themselves. At Promise Village, many of the children who come to us, are angry and hurt due to very difficult situations. We arrange for each child to have direct contact and interaction with the animals. The contacts range from children who play with a dog, groom a horse, handle the exotic birds, hold and pet the cats, or take responsibility for feeding and cleaning the animals during chore time. The children are more apt to risk a friendship with an animal because the animal will not ask questions, will not judge them and will not tell their secrets to anyone. In our therapeutic riding program, the Farm Director arranges for each child to have their own horse to groom, ride, and develop a bond with. The relationship with the horse facilitates relationships to develop with the child’s therapist, other staff, their peers and eventually their families. The animals simply act as a bridge crossing the gap from the child to healthy, loving, and nurturing human relationships.
Two examples of animals used in animal assisted therapy (AAT) at Promise Village and the benefits they bring to the residents:
1. Dogs
Research has been done that shows dogs reduce feelings of loneliness, provide comfort, reduce stress, uplift those who are discouraged, and help develop self-esteem as one is given responsibility to care for and train the animal. At Promise Village, we have a wonderful dog named Julie. Julie lives in the house with the residents and brings much joy and laughter to the milieu. Staff and residents alike participate in the daily care of Julie. One resident is given the job to feed/water Julie twice a day. Part of his job description is also to take her outside to use the bathroom. This teaches the resident responsibility and to look out for someone else’s interest instead of simply their own. Julie requires much attention, but the love that she gives back is priceless. At Promise Village, we have developed creative ways to use our animals therapeutically within the community where we are located. One way we can do that is through taking Julie into nursing homes, hospital settings, and children’s wards. The residents, who have experienced the healing that Julie brings, will be able to watch her comfort others outside of Promise Village.
2. Horses
When horses are used in the therapeutic process it is sometimes referred to as “Equine Therapy”, or more commonly as “therapeutic riding”. Our horses at Promise Village help the residents with impulse control, and they also help to develop concentration skills in those who have been diagnosed with ADD. The horses are a tool that helps them begin to learn focus and remember crucial steps in caring for and riding a horse. Horses can be beneficial in the development of sensory and motor skills and abilities. For individuals with mental or emotional challenges, the relationship that is developed with the horse can lead to an increase in self-esteem, confidence, patience, nurturance, and a sense of independence while riding the horse.
Charles Appelstein, who has studied the usefulness of therapeutic riding for emotionally disturbed children states, “If a troubled child can develop a special bond with a horse it becomes easier for that child to generalize such feelings into the human world. Additionally, because the relationship with the horse is so gratifying and fulfilling, the people who work with the horse(s), the instructors, become symbols of the good feeling they, the children experience. In psychological terms, the animals become what are called, transitional objects. The riding staff reminds the children of something that feels special. Because of their association with the horses, the riding staff almost immediately get “a foot in the door” with respect to counseling, guiding and impacting troubled and mistrustful children.”
Other animals used in animal assisted therapy at Promise Village:
Rabbits, exotic birds (Cockatoos, an African Gray, Canaries, and a Parrot), cats, goats, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, llamas, a cow, chickens, and a pot-bellied pig.
At Promise Village, we have integrated creative ways to utilize our four legged therapists…
Observations and insights can be gained into the defense mechanisms and specific needs of the child through their interactions with the animals. Some examples include:
1. Watching a child hold, stroke, and talk to an animal.
2. Seeing a child who was abused understand more about their own pain, and/or need to be in control or have power over something smaller and weaker.
3. Watching children who isolate from relationships develop a relationship and bond with a particular animal.
4. Observing the animal families interact may help the children talk about feelings from their families of origin.
Community Involvement:
At Promise Village, we are making plans to take our animals into the community to use in therapeutic ways for people other than the clients in the program. The residents then become involved in using the animals that have been agents of healing in their own lives, to be used to bring healing in the lives of those in the community. The residents become "Wounded Healers", in their own right. The animals can be used effectively in a variety of individual and group settings, including homes for the aged, hospitals, children's wards and various types of institutions for the mentally ill.
When each child has completed the program and is ready to go back home, or to another suitable home, we have a going-away celebration for them. At one such celebration, the resident voiced what his horse had meant to him. “I used to just see horses playing in the fields and think they were beautiful”, the resident stated, “but I learned at Promise Village that when you are riding your horse, all your problems disappear for a while”. Now if you are a horse trainer, that’s when you have all your problems! But for this child, it was a respite from all the turmoil he had experienced in his short life. One day we were all cantering or largoing our horses up a little hill, and one of the residents shouted, “this is just like Bonanza”! The horses provide a break from daily pressures and painful memories.
Nick 16, of Lake Orion, spent 11 months at Promise Village: Home for Children. Raiti’s mother, Michelle, described her son as being very bright, but an under-achiever, an unhappy loner who exhibited anti-social and self-destructive behaviors.
“Nick is different now. Since he went to Promise Village, he has made friends, gained self-confidence and discovered a new passion and love for horses. His grades at school now reflect his true abilities and his teachers are pleased with his progress,” said Michelle.
“When I first came to Promise Village, I didn’t trust adults or my family and didn’t get along with my step-dad. I was angry, confused and had no real relationships with anyone. When I came to Promise Village, I learned how to trust people and began to accept responsibility. I grew up a lot. Now, I get along well with my step-dad and the biggest change in me is that I have learned to be sociable with others. I am especially proud of the fact that I accepted the challenge to train my horse, Jalisco. Jalisco was a three-year-old that had never been trained. I was the first person to groom and ride him. I still visit Promise Village and Jalisco every week,” said Nick.
Once a year we have a little horse show at Promise Village. The kids are so excited to prepare their horses for the competitions. Jennifer Karnes was so kind to come and judge our little “show”. We have egg-in-spoon, pole-bending, pleasure and performance classes and of course the Paso specialty- ride a buck. With Paso Finos, this class can take forever! What a thrill it is to watch the pride on the child’s face as they show off their accomplishments with their equine partner.
Personally, I have moved back to North Carolina and will become a grandma this year! I am working to develop animal-assisted therapy programs here. Promise Village is continuing the animal program under the guidance of Drew Thorpe. Hopefully you can tell from this article, my heart is still there at Promise Village!
Yes, Marquesa and her Paso friends at Promise Village are still thrilling hearts, with far-results! You can be a part of helping many more children by providing support in any way you feel led. Promise Village: Home for Children, a non-profit (501) (C) (3) organization, is a residential treatment center/home for abused, neglected and troubled children. They provide a caring and therapeutic environment for children, adolescents and their families who face emotional and behavioral difficulties. Our goal is to help children heal and strengthen families. At Promise Village, dreams really come true, promises are kept, hope is restored and trust is found.
If you have any questions about Promise Village, please visit our website at www.promisevillage.com or give us a call at: 1-877-A-PROMISE.
Chris Cunningham Brancheau
cchins@aol.com
phone: 919-217-5879
7520 Buffaloe Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27616
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