Donegal townlively.com
JANUARY 5, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXII • NO 47
Mad About Marietta BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Therapist Abbie Wilson (left) and Lone Oak founder Heather Girvin with horses Naya (far left) and Sammie
Changing The World, One Horse And One Human - At A Time n a pasture off Union School Road in Mount Joy, horses and humans are healing. Lone Oak Animal-Assisted Therapeutic and Educational Services provides equine therapy to people, while also helping horses that have been abused as they work on their recovery. The organization is the vision of Heather Girvin, a lifelong horsewoman who is also a social services professional and associate professor at Millersville University. She started Lone Oak as a pilot program in 2020, confident that matching people who were hurting with rescued horses could have vast
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benefits for both the humans and the equines. Lone Oak leases space from Our Happy Place Equine Center, which includes a 20-acre setting complete with a barn, an outdoor ring, an indoor arena and acres of pastures. Herd of Hope Horse Rescue is located at the Equine Center, and several of Lone Oak’s eight horses have been acquired from Herd of Hope. Since its inception, Lone Oak has grown steadily, primarily through word of mouth. It became an official nonprofit organization in May of 2021. Lone Oak has four therapists on staff - all of whom, including Girvin, volunteer their time and provides programs including
Boss Mares, for adolescent girls; One Herd, for an emotional support classroom in partnership with Donegal School District; and Lone Oak Horses & Heroes, for service members, veterans and their families. Individual therapy sessions are also offered. At a program, participants might groom the horses, lead them around the ring or go for a ride. “Sometimes, clients come, and we just stand out in the field and pet the horses,” said Abbie Wilson, one of the therapists. Being around horses provides a natural opportunity for conversation, she noted. “Some kids don’t want to sit in a chair in a room with a therapist and
talk,” she explained. “You get them around a horse, and their mouth just goes and goes.” In addition to working alongside the horses, participants also experience expressive arts therapy (EAT) at Lone Oak, which aims to enhance well-being and create a foundation for post-traumatic growth and healing. Sessions include painting, drawing or music. Girvin said one of the things she’s noticed most about the interaction between the humans and the horses has been restoration for all involved. “The clients see the horse and how the horse has gone through recovery, and that helps them develop empathy,” she stated. See Changing pg 2
See Marietta pg 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cheerleaders Win Competition . . . . . . . .2 Farm Show To Offer Potato Fare . . . . . . .6 Business Directory . . . . . .8 House Of Worship . . . . . .12 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .13
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BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Marietta means everything to Rebecca Carroll Baltozer. “I am an eighth generation Marietta resident,” she said. “I grew up in Marietta.” She’s taking her knowledge and love of the town with her in her new role as mayor of Marietta. She was elected in November and began her term on Jan. 3. Running for mayor was a natural choice, Baltozer stated, noting that her past involvement with community organizations includes serving as president and treasurer of Marietta Restoration Associates as well as serving on the board of Susquehanna Stage Company. Prior to assuming her role of mayor, she served on the Marietta Borough Council, and she just co-chaired the 55th Candlelight Tour in December, which drew more than 1,200 people to Marietta. As mayor, Baltozer hopes to focus on diversity and inclusion in the town and inspire new residents to get involved. “I hope to