getting done with school—have a habit of selfimposed isolation,” explains Gums. “We’re hoping Champ will help encourage these students to be more social after school.” And during the school day, Champ is helping improve the desire to learn and succeed academically. “We have a male student who previously did not enjoy reading books,” says Well. “Nothing we did or said seemed to work in this area. One day, we asked him to read a book to Champ. This student selected a book about a dog, and then proceeded to read it to Champ. He read two books to Champ that day, and he did a fantastic job! Champ has helped open up a world of literacy for this child.”
ACC Therapy Horse Receives Top Honors Over the years, a variety of four-legged friends have had a life-changing impact at the Anne Carlsen Center. One of those animals is receiving a special honor, 11 years after his death. Pharaoh’s Fire (1979–2002), a purebred Arabian gelding, was a therapy horse for the Anne Carlsen Center for 13 years. He assisted with occupational, physical and speech therapies.
In addition to spending time with students on campus, Champ is going out into the community with them, helping them maximize their experiences with the world around them. He has already accompanied students to a restaurant and a movie theatre.
Champ shares a moment with (left) Julianne Larsen, the director of training at Can Do Canines, and (right) Adele Harrington, his handler at ACC.
Each day at the Anne Carlsen Center, Champ makes new friends and helps make new achievements possible. This gentle and loveable lab is—in every sense of the word—a champion for the remarkable individuals we serve.
Fire developed a special connection with riders of all abilities, and he was especially sensitive to riders with autism. His level of devotion earned him the prestigious title of 1994 National Therapy Horse of the Year. Now, he and the other horses who have received that honor over the years are being inducted into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame, established by Horse Charities of America and United States Equestrian Foundation. Although Fire had a fiery disposition as a stallion—earning him his name —he became a calm and reliable horse as a gelding. He will always be remembered as easy to handle, tolerant and focused in all situations. Many riders found strength and greater independence through his healing touch. The Ambassador 7