The High Hopes
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Inside this
Fall 2007
Living Through Loss & Bereavement ~-
BoardChainnan& ExecutiveDirector Message SpotlightOn Success The Faith for the Journe y
The Spiritof Giving The Gift that Jack Built
Thissummer,
Wa'j!,to Give Shop & Give High Hopes Wishes
Fromthe Horse's Mouth -·· High Hopes ;:· Happenings/ ~- ./f
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In accordance witli the Americans witli Disabilities Act, Tlie High Hoi:,es Rider is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact Judie Driscoll at Ext. ~9.
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H I G H H O P E S-· Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
Phone: 860.434.1974 Fax: 860.434.3723
www.highhopestr.org
five children who had experienced a recent loss, participated in a pilot wo rkshop on Loss and Bereavement. The program was designed to help the young people, aged 9 through 17, work through various aspects of their loss using equine and expressive arts therapies. It is well known within the High Hop es community that equine activities benefit the minds, bodies and spirits of people wit h, and witho ut, disabilities. As stated by Instructor Barbara Abrams, "t here is something cathartic that occurs ... in caring for an animal as large and powerful, yet gentle and understanding, as a horse." Similarly, arts therapies, which include sto rytelling, art, music and dance, enable a person to express themsel ves in a format other than words, when words are simply not enough. As Abrams describes, both therapies provide a welco me and vita l means of "express ion of pain, grief, sadness to surface in a natural way, witho ut having to call upon words." The program was designed and run by Kristin Mason, High Hopes Special Programs Coordinator, and Barbara Abrams, w ho specializes in Expressive Arts Therap ies, wit h the assistance of several vo lunteers . In the mornings, the participants took part in equine activities such as herd observation, eq uin e behavior, horse care and learning how to "join up" as partners with their horses. Then they did vaulting exercises, first on a barrel and then on horseback, demonstrating great focus and bravery every step of the way. After riding in the arena, their week culminated in a trail ride that represented their "New Path" whi le astride
their personally decorated horses. For the arts activities, each day the part icipa nt s brought mementos and photographs which they incorporated into a scrapbook, using paint and collage techniques. And, in line w ith the Native American theme chosen by the instructors, the participants made dream catchers and selected a "totem animal" that represented certain aspects of their lives and personalities. In addition, the participants learn ed to stretch themselves, both lite rally and figuratively, during a special yoga session. Finally, they experienced the power of ritu al in a storytelling circle in which they added to the story by impro vising on a variety of percussion instruments allow ing them to experiment in finding new "voices" for themselves and building strength and support in a common creative endeavor. Throughout all of these activities, the participants were provided w ith many new experiences and challenges, as we ll as firm guidelines and loads of encouragement . It was clear by the end of the week that they had gained confidence with their newly deve loped horse skills, increased the ir bond and trust and found expression for their feelings in the creation of bold persona l statements in the various art activities. Barbara Abrams summed it up in her statement, "the horse's mag ic never disappoints me." Indeed, this works hop was evidence once again of the ho rses' magic coming through. Moreover, the wo rkshop succeeded in combi ning that magical power with the transformative power of the arts a true recipe for growth that High Hopes intends to explore in the future.