Whispering Meadows Ranch partners with Conklin Davis Center for equine-assisted learning for the visually impaired

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from The Rogers and Waterhouse Foundation, five CDCVI students are taking part in a pilot that has them working with horses to further their development of core skills.

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Since February, five students from the Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired have spent their Tuesday mornings at Whispering Meadows Ranch.

It's an opportunity that's a first for all parties involved — Whispering Meadows Ranch, a nonprofit that provides equine-assisted programs to those with special needs and disabilities, has had visually impaired riders in the past, but it has never hosted a program like this one. 

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from The Rogers and Waterhouse Foundation, five CDCVI students are taking part in a pilot designed to help them work with horses to further their development of core skills, such as independence, responsibility, self-awareness and confidence.

Kristine Aguirre, director of Whispering Meadows Ranch, has been able to witness that firsthand.

"Their confidence level has gone through the roof," she said. "... They would have a hand on their helper when they first came, and talking a lot with the girls especially — very shy, very timid, never been around horses before."

Now, the students come in knowing which horse they want to work with, selecting them by name. 

The idea for the program was born from a conversation between Nancy Epps, chair of the CDCVI board, and Dr. Shirley Waterhouse, founder and president of The Rogers and Waterhouse Foundation. The two have been friends for almost 50 years and frequently have dinner together.

About a year ago, they were doing just that when Waterhouse shared she had received a certification in equine-assisted learning. Her foundation was created in honor of her late husband, Dr. Rodney Rogers, and supports charities that advance animal advocacy or equine-assisted programs. 

"I was energetically telling Nancy about equine-assisted learning and she said to me, 'Could the visually impaired ever work with horses?'" Waterhouse recalled. "I wasn’t sure exactly how it could be done, but my instincts were saying yes, yes!"

Waterhouse then contacted Aguirre, who jumped on the pilot program idea. The women brainstormed what it would look like together, and then Aguirre submitted a grant proposal to the foundation.

The foundation's board unanimously approved the proposal.

"We favor projects that partner animals and people," Waterhouse said. "We believe that when humans and animals work together, the well-being of each is enhanced. We do hope we can expand the Whispering Meadows Ranch and Conklin Davis Center program."

CDCVI polled its students to gauge interest — and they were very interested, said Ronee David, president and CEO of CDCVI. With Whispering Ranch moving from Flagler County to Ormond Beach, it seemed like good timing. 

The students' progression in the program, David said, has been "wonderful." So has the opportunity to expose students to something new.

"Because they're blind, they have limited exposure to different types of interesting activities, and this is something that they would never have in their everyday life without our program," David said. 

And while CDCVI provides students with a variety of programs to help develop skills to become independent, this is one that allows them to do something fun and creative, said Karla Bucholz, program director at CDCVI.

"It's showing them that there's more out there than working, getting a job — some socializing," Bucholz said. "It's opening up new ideas for them. New horizons.

The students have learned how to put a halter on the horses, to groom them and are beginning to walk with them. Aguirre said one goal is to have them walk independently with their horse. 

Recently, the students learned how to clean a horse's hoof. To help guide them, Aguirre and Whispering Meadows Ranch volunteers worked on doing the task with their eyes closed. 

"Doing that, it is a challenge," Aguirre said. "They've been really great about sharing their feedback and what has been difficult and what they would like to do."

Being close to the horses in their favorite part. One student, Camryn Johnson, sings to her horse during every program session. 

It was that moment, as Johnson sang "I'm So In Love With You" to her horse Lollipop, that sticks in Waterhouse's head as a favorite. It fills her with joy and love every time she recalls it. 

"Observing and participating in some of the sessions have been some of the most heart-warming experiences I’ve had in my lifetime," she said. "Seeing the joy the horses bring to the students is wonderful. Observing the heart-felt connection the students have with the horses and the friendships they are forming with the horses is so powerful. Seeing how dedicated and compassionate the staff of Whispering Meadows Ranch is inspires me."

 

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