>>> WHEN FATHER ROBERT WAGNER FOUNDED JERICHO IN THE 1970'S,
HIS GOAL WAS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WOULD BRING
DIGNITY, RESPECT AND WHOLENESS TO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES.
ONE SUCH WAY THEY DO THAT IS THROUGH HORSEBACK RIDING.
IN 1982, AN INDOOR RIDING ARENA WAS BUILT AND THE THERAPEUTIC
EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN HOLYOKE WAS BORN.
TODAY THE CENTER CONTINUES FATHER WAGNER'S DREAM OF
ALLOWING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO REACH THEIR
HIGHEST POTENTIAL.
PRODUCER DAVE FRASER VISITED THE CENTER RECENTLY AND SHARES THIS
STORY.
THERAPY WITH RIDING IS O
EVOLVING WE'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND ALL
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES, PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, REALIZING
WHAT THE HORACE CAN -- HORSES O FOR EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL
DISABILITIES.
>> GOING TO TAKE A FEW STEPS FORWARD, YOU READY?
>> THIS IS THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER, WE'RE LOCATED IN HOLYOKE
ON THE GROUNDS OF JERICHO EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN
AND ADULTS.
WHAT WE DO IS BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE RIDER.
EVERY RIDER IS DIFFERENT.
IT CAN BE THAT THEY HAVE AUTISM, PTSD, AND IT DEPENDS ON THE AGE
OF THE RIDER.
WE HAVE THE YOUNGEST AT AGE 3 AND THE OLDEST IN THEIR 70s.
WHEN SOMEONE COMES HERE FOR THERAPY BECAUSE THEY HAVE BROKEN
THEIR LEG OR HAD SURGERY OR KIDS THAT NEED THERAPY, QUITE
FREQUENTLY IT IS IN A HOSPITAL-TYPE SETTING AND THIS
IS A THERAPY THAT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE A RISK IN A
VERY CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.
IT IS ALSO THIS VERY IMPORTANT EQUALIZER TO A KID.
IF WE HAVE A CHILD WITH PHYSICAL ABILITIES RIDING NEXT TO A CHILD
WHO DOESN'T HAVE PHYSICAL ABILITY, THEY ARE TELLING THE
HORSE TO DO THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME.
>> THIS HAS BEEN A PASSION OF MINE AND THIS IS MY YOUNGER
BROTHER WHO HAS DOWN SYNDROME.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
THERE YOU GO.
SO YOU TAKE THE INDIVIDUAL OUT OF A CLASSROOM SETTING WHERE
THEY DO THE SAME THING EVERY DAY AND THE HORSE IS DIFFERENT WHICH
CHANGES THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON THINGS AND YOU GET TO DO THINGS
IN A FUN ENVIRONMENT.
>> THE HORSES WE USE IN OUR PROGRAM ARE TRUE HEROES AND
OBVIOUSLY THE HORSES THAT WE USE HAVE TO BE VERY SPECIAL.
THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE CORRECT TEMPERAMENT, BE PATIENT AND KIND
AND LIKE HAVING PEOPLE TOUCH THEM AND BEING AROUND THEM.
I OFTEN TELL PEOPLE THERAPEUTIC RIDING CAN BE AS STRESSFUL AS
BEING A RACE HORSE OR SHOW HORSE.
MOST OF THE HORSES WE HAVE ARE DONATIONS OR HORSES WE LEASE
FROM INDIVIDUALS.
>> EVERYONE HAVE TWO HANDS ON THEIR REINS?
>> I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN
THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WE WORK WITH AND OVER THE YEARS,
I HAVE SEEN IT GO FROM IT WAS ALL ABOUT JUST KIDS THAT HAD
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.
YOU KNOW, 30 YEARS AGO WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THERAPEUTIC RIDING,
THAT IS WHAT IT WAS.
NOW WE'RE TEACHING KIDS BALANCE, COORDINATION, PAYING ATTENTION,
THE CHILD WITH ADHD WHO CAN'T SIT AT A DESK FOR MORE THAN FIVE
MINUTES AND ABLE TO RIDE A HORSE AROUND FOR 45 MINUTES AND FOLLOW
DIRECTIONS SUCCESSFULLY SO WE'RE GIVING THEM SOMETHING TO BE
SUCCESSFUL AT.
WE'RE HELPING PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE POTENTIAL THAT THEY
HAVE, WHETHER IT BE A CHILD OR AN ADULT.
>> GOOD JOB!