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APPEAL TRIBUNE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016
Life in the
Valley y
sanews@salem.gannett.com
PHOTOS BY ANNA REED / STATESMAN JOURNAL
Garrett Kincaid, a sophomore from Lyons, pets a horse during a field trip with Oregon Connections Academy to Horses of Hope, an equine therapy program, in Turner on Thursday, Nov. 17.
Forging a stable bond
ORCA students
witness equine
therapy at
Horses of Hope
JUSTIN MUCH
STAYTON MAIL
You learn something new every day,
and often that instruction is close to
home.
That was the experience a number
of Oregon Connections Academy stu-
dents discovered during a recent outing
to rural Turner where the youth re-
ceived hands-on stable lessons along
with insight into an innovative therapy
at Horses of Hope.
“I learned just how big of an impact
equine therapy had on the people it
helped. Many people with different
problems, whether they be mental,
emotional, or physical, came to this to
receive help,” said Garrett Kincaid, 16,
of Lyons. “They have multiple horses,
each with his or her own distinct per-
sonality, ready to help anyone with a
disability that walked through the front
door. They would take them for rides,
or just have the people lead them
around the arena, feed and groom
them, or just spend time together.”
Garrett was impressed by the spe-
cial bonds formed between the people
and the horses.
“I did not know that this kind of
therapy was available to people before
the time I spent there,” he said. “I hon-
estly haven’t thought of horses the
same way ever since that trip to Horses
of Hope. I knew that horses were gen-
tle, friendly, and great company, but I
never expected it to be on this scale.
They work magic on the people they
are with, and it is incredible.”
Garrett wasn’t alone in his observa-
tions.
“I have never, in person, experi-
enced how animals are used in therapy
other than animal shows on TV,” said
Cassandra Luckini, 15, of Crabtree.
“After being on this field trip, it makes
me want to explore how these animals
can help people with autism or emotion-
al or physical limitations.”
Garrett and Cassandra’s contempo-
rary, Ella Fay of Turner, added:
“I didn’t know that Horses of Hope
was so close to my house. I think it’s
really cool that the kids get to work
with the horses. Horses are good to use
in therapy because they are very sweet.
Even though they are big animals, they
can sense a person’s feelings. I’ve
Michael Wood, left, a freshman from Scio, and Ella Fay, a sophomore from Turner, brush Nupur, an Icelandic horse.
worked with horses before so I know
how to take care of them, it felt natural.
I would love to go again.”
That’s saying something since this
particular ORCA field trip involved not
only a lesson but a bit of labor as well.
“There was a bit of work involved in
taking care of the horses, yes. But you
have to expect that when working with
any animal, and it was super fun,” Gar-
rett said. “After seeing what they can
do for people, and after learning how
great it was to work in that setting, I
decided to fill out a volunteer applica-
tion, so that I could help and be a part
of this great program.”
He may have some company.
“I liked doing the chores and tending
to the horses,” said Sidney Kincaid, 15,
of Lyons. “I find it peaceful and fun.
Brushing the dirt out of their mane and
coat, grooming, feeding, and just plain
loving them was a blast.
“I always loved horses. Now that I
got to see how they help people who
have disabilities, it made me fall in love
with them all over again on a whole new
level.”
Cassandra Luckini, a sophomore from Albany, pets Max, a draft-cross horse.