Re: RC: Re: Warm Fuzzies

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Nan
I was the director of a treatment program for adjudicated teens---
toughest and most rewarding job I've ever had. I also shared your dream
of incorporating the horses. Two big problems--- the
biggest---INSURANCE! Kids (and us adults for that matter) will always
have an occasional fall or some horsey incident. It is not the kid who
will sue you, but some relative (not even the parents, necessarily) who
will seize the opportunity to make some money off of anyone they believe
has more than they do. There have been so many lawsuits of this type
that the insurance is almost impossible to obtain. VERY SAD.
The other problem is kid pay back. Some kids have really serious
underlying emotional problems (e.g. Columbine) who will get angry with
you for some rule, voice inflection, whatever, and will try to get back
at you. Because teen problems have escalated past the graffiti on the
buildings stage and rotten eggs on cars, I became afraid to put my
vulnerable horses at risk. We never had armed guards on duty 24 hours
and it would be oh-so-easy to slip something in the water, etc.
Our world is a totally different place these days. Programs that
flourished during the 70's now cannot operate due to risk factors.
Upward bound was a TERRIFIC program which took "punky" behavior problem
kids on survival trips. By the time the kids returned home they had
faced real fears about survival and an interdependence on nature and
occasionally other youths which gave them more respect for life and
others. Most of these programs have disappeared due to lawsuits and
resulting insurance costs.
Didn't mean to get into this subject matter so much, but anyone planning
to put together a youth program utilizing horses should be aware of some
of the considerations (and then go for it if you have the financial
ability--- we need more programs like these).
For myself, I always have a teen or two who hangs out here and bonds
with the horses and us and who becomes another one of our kids. You'd be
surprised how many kids I am "Mom" to--- it's a small step but something
we can manage.
Bette

Rick Crites wrote:
> 
> My daughters and I used to take our pony "Ben" and his cart to Nursing Homes and give cart rides.  One time we had this older man who had been quite a troublemaker get up front with the driver and refuse to get out.  He rode all day daydreaming about farming with his horses.  The end of the day two attendents had to physically remove him from the cart.  The recreational director called us latter in the week to let us know that he had become a very peaceful patient after our visit.
> 
> Once we have our farm set up so we can properly handle the program my dream is to set up a program for "at risk juveniles" and horses.  I have always believed that the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a kid.
> 
> Nan Crites
> 
> On Thu, 25 May 2000, "j.mills" wrote:
> 
> >
> > hi all,
> >
> > i was always one of those little girls with their noses plastered to the
> > window when a horse or trailer went by.  still am.  a little dangerous when
> > i'm driving;-)
> >
> > i have a warm fuzzie story too.  my young arab can be a pathological spook,
> > but he does love people.  a while back we were parked near a lake and a car
> > drove up to watch me untack my horse at the trailer.  there was a driver and
> > three disabled women in the car.  the women could not open their hands,
> > extend their arms, or talk.  they were clearly tickled to see the horse.  i
> > asked the driver if she would like me to lead him over to the windows and
> > the driver was thrilled.  the women squeeled with delight and at first kind
> > of hit him in the face in an effort to pat him.  my horse was so patient and
> > stood with his head in each window in turn so all could see and pat him up
> > close.  one of the wonderful things was to watch the women become calmer and
> > calmer.  their arms and hands relaxed and they were able to somewhat stroke
> > his head!  it was a wonderful experience for all of us!  jm
> >
> >
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-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of TLA Halynov
http://www.stormnet.com/~woa
I've learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer it
gets to the end, the faster it goes. Smell the roses!