Student Success
Pamela is an 11-year-old female residing at Hibiscus Children's Center’s residential shelter. Pamela was removed from her parents’ care when she was 7 years old due to exposure to substance misuse, domestic violence, and being a victim of abuse (emotional, physical abuse, neglect, and alleged sexual abuse). Pamela was in several foster homes and group homes before being placed at HCC’s Tilton Family Children’s Shelter. She has a history of hospitalizations due to Baker Acts. She had failing grades, retention, and suspensions from school. When she arrived at HCC she was detached and would not engage with her peers or adults. She had a difficult time self-regulating and would become verbally and physically aggressive towards others.
Pamela has been provided Equine and Music Therapy in groups for several months at Harmony Hopes Stables. When she started the equine groups, she would shut down and refuse to participate. At the shelter and school, she was continuing to be non-complaint and aggressive. Slowly, she opened up and would try new things and participate in the equine activities and music group. Since joining the equine group her confidence and feelings of self-worth have increased. She also has made progress in therapy and is starting to heal from her traumas. Her relationships with the mentors and the horses are more positive than ever at the ranch. In working with her mentor, she now can groom the horses, walk them, feed them, help turn them out, take them through the obstacle course, and even do jumps with the horses while walking them through the course.
One of her favorite things to do is to groom Rio and to make him show ready. She has become a strong leader when working with the horses and is on her way to becoming a mentor for the new participants. She completes barn chores with a smile. She also is becoming a very good ukulele player. At home (shelter) and school she has also been moving forward and healing from her traumas. She has increased her positive engagement with others and has increased her ability to self-regulate and express herself verbally.
We believe none of this progress would have been achieved without the equine therapy Pamela received at Harmony Hope Stables and we would not have been able to provide it without the support of Mariner Sands Charity Week. Thank you!
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