Subject: Horses for the Spirit
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 14:43:32 -0700
From: CImasaki@washoecounty.us
Dear Robbie,
I would like to provide you with some feedback that I received from some of the foster parents and foster children who participated in your last session. Bringing everyone to the Reno Rodeo Foundation’s NV of the West was a perfect way to celebrate their graduation from your program.
One of the boys who participated in your program did so quite apprehensively because he was not comfortable around horses. He only agreed to go on the condition that his foster mother bringing adequate snacks, so he could watch his sister participate. His foster mom said that within a very short time, he wanted to be a part of the group. When I saw him at the graduation event, I saw a more confident young man who appeared to have developed a real bond with his horse friend. He appeared comfortable in his role as a leader to his horse, as he worked with it.
Another foster parent said that she saw her foster son, who she now plans to adopt, develop more confidence self-confidence and improve his leadership skills. I’ve known her foster son for many years. He has grown in so many ways, from a quiet and meek young boy to a teenager who is so much more comfortable in social settings and with himself. On graduation day, there was a sparkle in his eyes, as he worked with his horse. He had formed a relationship with his horse, who received many hugs that day. His foster mother, who now has two more children in her care, asked about the possibility of the other two children being a part of the Horses for the Spirit program because of the personal growth she saw in her foster son.
I had the opportunity to speak with one of the foster parents who participated in this last session with his foster daughter. He felt that going through your program together with her, helped them to develop a closer relationship and open up communication between them. He even told me that he wished that his wife had been a part or the program for the same reason. I do hope that you might be able to do something similar in the future, subject to space availability.
On behalf of Washoe County Department of Social Services and the children in our care and custody, I want to thank you for giving our children the opportunity to further their development and life skills through your program. Through its name, Horses for the Spirit so aptly reflects the purpose and goals of the program. Again, thank you for giving so many children an opportunity of a life time.
Social Worker
Washoe County Dept. of Social Services
PO Box 11130
Reno, NV 89520-0027
(775) 337-4500 Phone
(775) 337-4495 FAX
cimasaki@washoecounty.us
Horses for the Spirit is an amazing program. It lets horses and humans bond. This program let me find friends, and it made me a better person. The games are fun and all the horses are great. I had Henry and he was a good companion. Horses for the Spirit is a wonderful way to find yourself. I really recommend it to everyone. The thing I didn’t like was the cold weather. Overall, I loved Horses for the Spirit. –H.M., Social Services, Spring 2010
I learned a whole lot with this program. It is very similar to real life. The horses are a lot like the humans and the way you act towards a person is pretty much the same way as you would act like to a horse. –S.A., Mc Gee Center, Spring 2010
Some things I learned in Horses for the Spirit is leadership, responsibility and patience. With all these things I never had. Horses for the Spirit has helped me a lot with these qualities. The leadership part helped me with most of the things I do in my life. Responsibility has helped me at home with my family and it has also helped me with my mom’s relationship with me. –I.G., McGee Center, Spring 2010
I want to thank whoever made it possible for me to participate in such a wonderful program with the horses. I feel as though I have found some new things about me, for one I like horses now! The bond that grew between me and Kiawah is a strong one. I learned so much from this program how to make the horse do as I want and how to make them go forward and backwards, how to make them jump over things and stand on things! If I had the chance I would definitely do this program again. My experience with the horses has taught me some things in life like How to create a bond with some one like a friend or even an enemy. It also taught me that trust takes time. Thanks for this wonderful experience! –J.S., Social Services, Spring 2010
When asked “What did this student gain by participating in our program? What skills did he/she gain that will help student in life?”, one foster parent replied about his foster daughter:
[She learned] some patience, how to communicate differently and how to be able to direct thoughts differently without getting angry and frustrated.
He also shared:
Since the class she has been a lot more understanding of other people and seems to be getting along with my wife better, which is a good thing.– K.S., Social Services, Spring 2010
I played with a horse or should I say pony that was very much like me, Magic. Though some of the time she was stubborn, most of the time we got along great! Unfortunately I grew somewhat attached to Magic, but I’ll live. I’ve always looked at horses as beautiful creatures, not that its any different now but, I still look at them as beautiful creatures, but I also look at them as not so different from us. I will never forget this, and again thank you! –L.M., Social Services, Spring 2010
Some of the things I learned in this program is patience, the 7 Games with the horses, control and about how the horses see the world. The thing that I liked best the program was working with Wally and teaching him the tricks. This program helped me most in control and patience but I am sure that if this program continues it will help many more kids like me. --C.H., Social Services, Spring 2010
