Making A Difference: Horse Therapy

It’sbeen an uphill battle forJennifer Kurzand her three year old sonCaeden.

“To see him struggle and fight so much adversity is incredibly frustrating for me. He loves to learn and tries so hard.He has to work a lot harder than many kids his age” says Kurz.

Caeden was born with a genetic development disability and has trouble expressing himself.However recently, he’sbeen coming to the Monterey Bay Horsemanship and Therapeutic Center in La Selva Beach.

“It’s definitely helped.Caeden is communicating more in regards to gestures and expressive language since he’s been coming” says Kurz.

But the center wouldn’t be what it is forCaeden or the other 250 special needs children that visit each month, without Co-FounderAnnePearson. Pearson’s son was born with Cerebral Palsy, Cortical Blindness and was Non-Verbal. With little resources, Pearsoneventually turned to horse therapy.

“I use to sitTimmy on the horse andI found he loved it.He was developing strength” says Anne Pearson, Co-Founder of Monterey Bay Horsemanship & Therapeutic Center.

After years of therapy,Timmy, who was partially paralyzed started to walk on his own.

Pearson says,therapeutic ridingis successful for children with certain special needs because of the leader muscle that runs along a horse’s back.That muscle works atstimulating the child’sspinal cord aiding or replacing what’s missing due to the disability.

“ThePara-SympatheticNerve is stimulated, in some way, at the base of the spine and that produces these amazing results of healing” says Pearson.

Wanting to share her experience with others;Pearson and herbusiness partnerGailWright developed theMonterey Bay Horsemanship and Therapeutic Center using funds fromSantaCruz County, grants, donations and volunteers.

“It’s become our mission to develop a place that has meaning and purpose where children with disabilities are engaged, social and feel like they belong” says Pearson.

In addition to horse therapy, the center also integrates sensory and motor skills with a gym, tractor rides and auto workshop to helpchildren with special needs and those considered at-risk youth.

If you’d like to learn how you can help volunteer or donate to the center, visit their website online http://www.mbhorsecenter.com/about.php.

We’d also like to hear from you, if you know someone who is making a difference in our community,email us, asnewstips@kionrightnow.com