A Specialized Program for Boys with Verbal and Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities.
Equine-Assisted Therapy Program
The focus of our Equine Program is to provide students the opportunity to learn many aspects of horsemanship in the spirit of compassion and friendship for animals and for each other. Our school offers a climate of learning in which each student may accomplish personal goals within the context of a challenging but flexible program. We are committed to a teaching and learning process that equips our riders with the critical skills necessary to enjoy a safe and rewarding equine experience. Our method of instruction enables students to deal with the horses and many aspects of their care and training in the most humane and respectful manner, without the use of force or punishment.
How Equine-Assisted Therapy Can Help
Horses are sentient beings with feelings, thoughts, emotions, memories and empathic abilities. Riders learn how to communicate with each horse they ride and they come to a new understanding that even horses have unique personalities that may require different ways of interaction. As our students learn how to form successful and healthy relationships with the horses, they learn the skills necessary to transfer these new relationship skills to the people in their lives. Through handling of the horses, riders gain an important sense of responsibility for the well being and survival of an animal dependent on their care. In addition, the equine program helps students to obtain improved self-esteem and physical strength/balance that builds confidence in their abilities.
Our students may participate in English riding lessons (Dressage, Jumping, Equitation) and Western riding lessons (Pleasure, Trail, Gaming events). Riding lessons are developed to suit each individual’s capability, needs and desire to learn. Our Equine Program is by far one of the most favorite aspects of our program for many of our students.
A Tight Knit Group That Grows Together
The boys program is a small community of 16 boys, all desiring the connection of friendship, improved family relationships and hope for their future. Our boys and their families become very close as they embrace the challenges together to grow in skills and understanding. In addition, boys become good friends with their “brothers” here at the school and support each other in their journeys to learn the skills needed for success.
Our Success Program
The SUCCESS program guides the students in developing the skills they need to become successful within each core area.
An important end goal of the SUCCESS program is to encourage our students to become “experts in themselves” by becoming aware of their own learning styles, strengths and challenges. As experts, they will be able to advocate for themselves in their future academic and employment pursuits, and in their relationships. At the completion of the SUCCESS program, our students are much more confident in their abilities and have the tools they need to build lives of change and independence. Family members are also asked to learn and practice skill competencies along with the student in all areas of the SUCCESS program.
