Therapy In DIsguise

photo and article found in Sun Times Newspaper

article: Celeste Busk

picture:  Rich Hein Sun Times

Many studies have shown that spending time petting a cat or dog lowers blood pressure and is just plain good for the soul.  The same good feelings seem to come by spending time with horses. A program that connects children and adults with special needs with horses aims to bring the participants greater strength and balance as well as plenty of smiles.   "Riding a horse is therapy in disguise," said Diana Schnell, co-founder and director of the nonprofit Equestrian Connection in Lake Forest. "There is something spiritual about riding. People come off a horse feeling good. It has a more grounded effect and you're able to look at things a little brighter.  Having plenty of therapeutic fun was the agenda recently for a group of about a half-dozen youngsters with special needs from Oak Terrace Elementary School in Highwood. The children began their therapy session with an art project that involved sculpting a dog using papier mache. Afterward, the happy youngsters (ages 6 to 9) got to enjoy a meet-and-greet with the horses and volunteers in the stable. Penny, a miniature horse, was the main attraction and kids were able to get up close and help brush and groom her.
Then, one by one, the youngsters mounted horses to begin therapy, which included a series of learning games such as counting their horse's steps to learn numbers and learning colors with a stoplight.  These kids were having fun. With every step of their horse the youngsters squealed with delight and laughter resonated throughout the indoor arena.  Watching proudly and calling out game instructions was their special education teacher Sabrina Unnerstall, who worked hard to get funding through the Impact Educator Grant Program so the kids could visit the horse center.  Also on hand were a group of mothers whose children are in the program. The moms were reaping the relaxing benefits of horseback riding, too.  "The rigors of raising a disabled child are not always easy. So, we wanted to give moms a chance to be with other moms in similar situations and offer an opportunity to enjoy riding therapy," Schnell said.   The Equestrian Connection rests on 10 bucolic acres with a spring-fed lake. Facilities include an indoor 26,000-square-foot arena and stables, outdoor riding areas and about 20 horses. The staff includes about 200 volunteers as well as: physical therapists; a speech therapist; art therapist; massage therapist, a clinical psychiatric nurse, and riding instructors certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.  The center provides a variety of programs for children and adults with special needs such as those with physical and cognitive disabilities; behavioral and emotional challenges; attention and sensory disorders; multiple sclerosis, and depression.  According to Schnell, some of the health benefits of therapy horseback riding includes: improved strength and flexibility; greater horsemanship skills; improved sensory processing; better posture; increased focus and concentration, and greater self-esteem.  "Riding also helps to make a substantial difference in a person's core strength," Schnell said. "You can see the results of equestrian therapy pretty quickly, in the course of one or two months."  The center helps more than 220 children and adults each week. Plus, the staff works in conjunction with numerous community and academic-based organizations that serve those with disabilities such as special education school districts, special recreational therapy organizations, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, children's hospitals and many adult and teen organizations.  Schnell co-founded Equestrian Connection in 2001 after searching for a fun way to get therapy for her young twin sons (now grown) who have cerebral palsy.   "They needed muscle toning and I wanted to create a different therapy where kids would not go kicking and screaming [into therapy sessions]," Schnell said. She started with children by offering hippotherapy (therapist stays by a rider's side) and therapeutic riding. Over the years, she added helping adults, art therapy, massage therapy and equine-assisted psychotherapy.  "Today, Equestrian Connection has become one of the most extensive therapeutic horseback riding programs in the United States," Schnell said.  Meanwhile, the nonprofit Equestrian Center is in need of donations and funding. Schnell also is looking for people to sponsor a child in therapy.  "There are some families who do not have means to pay, but are still welcomed here," Schnell said. "We need funding to help them."