Haven's Horses
For seven years and counting, Haven's Horses has givenbrchildren, both able-bodied and disabled, the ability to carry themselves withbrconfidence. Through therapeutic riding and various horsemanship classes, thebrKeller-based ministry — a division of the residential foster home called Christ'sbrHaven for Children — teaches kids life skills through connecting with one ofbrthe world's most magnificent creatures. Haven's Horses is constantly acceptingbrnew riders for physical therapy on horseback and therapeutic riding. At Haven'sbrHorses, “We believe everyone can ride.”
CelenabrSalinas, program director for Haven's Horses, has been involved with thebrorganization since its inception in 2008. Her daughter, now 12, used tobrstruggle with dyslexia. “I saw what the horsemanship classes did for her, boostingbrher confidence,” she says. “I fell in love with the program, so I startedbrvolunteering.” Haven's Horses is especially beneficial for children who havebrdisabilities like autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or even brain injuriesbrbecause they are able to improve their cognitive processing, balancebrcoordination and communication skills. According to Salinas, horses workbrparticularly well with children who have Asperger syndrome or seizure disordersbrbecause the animals can sense the moments before a child experiences a seizurebrepisode. Additionally, a horse's gait is similar to the way people walk, sobrriders are using muscles they might not use on a regular basis and arebrtherefore gaining valuable physical exercise.
“We have onebrrider who is severely disabled,” Salinas says. “It was a tremendous struggle tobrhold her and have her on the horse because she doesn't have the core to sit up.brRecently, I was at the stables watching her lesson. It was a complete 180 frombrwhen I first saw her to seeing her then. She was actually sitting up instead ofbrhunched over. It was a speechless thing to witness. To know that's what I'm abrpart of makes it so rewarding.”
Haven's Horsesbrkeeps 14 horses, each of which is accustomed to spending time with youngbrchildren and has a special personality that is patient and gentle. The programbris unique in that it takes a clinical method like therapy and brings it into abrnon-clinical environment: the outdoors, where children can feel morebrcomfortable as they bond with the animals. Haven's Horses also promotes thebrmission that Christ's Haven for Children advocates: fostering a relationshipbrwith Jesus Christ. The entire staff of volunteers is dedicated to improving allbrchildren's lives through horsemanship and doing so in a safe and lovingbrenvironment. Haven's Horses is always accepting donations and sponsorships thatbrhelp the program not only provide items like riding helmets, western tack andbrbarn supplies but also invite corporations to embrace the opportunity to getbrinvolved with the program. Several wish list items include an Englishbrtherapeutic riding saddle ($1,500), Comfort treeless saddle ($600) and anbrelectric chair lift ($10,000).
Haven's Horses
4200 Keller-Haslet Rd., Keller
817-431-1544
HavensHorses.com
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