Horses Healing Hearts
A child lives in a world of wonder, awe and innocence.
For some, happiness and hardship come in measured doses..
Never Say Never is an organization dedicated to a caring,yet simple mission:
We hope to provide life-enriching, horse related activities to children and teens living with cancer or other serious challenges. Our equine assisted activities program was created to connect the healing and unconditional love of horses and other animals to the humans who need them...
For families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer or who may be suffering from other life challenges, trauma or setbacks, we seek to provide both instructional and fun horse oriented activities and events that lift childrens' spirtis, encourage personal healing and enhance self empowerment. Our horse related activities provide special time away from home and/or the hospital for the kids who can use a distraction from the everyday challenges and pain they may be facing. Never Say Never also reaches out to:
Children and teens with autism, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, learning difficulties, low self-esteem, other social and/or emotional challenges
Never Say Never promises children…
the opportunity to brush, feed, pet and care for horses and ponies in a safe and caring environment.
a compassionate, supportive and nurturing team of volunteers who give encouragement and assist children and teens with animal-related activities.
Never Say Never is …
a wonderful opportunity for children and teens who are suffering to find solace and comfort in the healing presence of our horses and ponies
NOT just for children! Never Say Never is open to any individual who can benefit from our animals and volunteers
NOT judgmental or discriminating in any way
NOT a medical facility, treatment program or licensed therapeutic institute
How Does Our Horses Healing Hearts Program Work?
It is Never Say Never’s unique mission is to provide equine assisted activities, not physical therapeutic riding sessions. Therefore, it is important to know and understand that the two are very different. Our participants at NSN are not required to meet any specific medical or physical goals in their sessions here. Unlike licensed therapeutic centers or certified hippotherapy programs, there is no requirement to set and achieve any specific health related goals nor to document any mental or physical progress. We take into consideration each individual’s personal reasons for wanting to be here at the farm. This is strictly an opportunity for children and teens who are suffering to spend time away from their trauma and find peace and joy in their interactions with the horses.
How Do You Get Started?
Once you’ve decided you’d like to participate in our equine assisted activities program, we will arrange an orientation session where you can take some time to check out the barn and meet our loving staff of animals and volunteers. You can ask us questions, and tell us about your needs and why you are interested in our program. We'll provide you with some hands-on time with our loving horses and ponies, let you ask questions, tell us what you'd like to do here at the farm, and when you think you would like to come, and of course, give you some necessary paperwork to take home with you to read, complete and sign. In some cases, we may require the participant's attending physician/pediatrician, and/or therapist to complete and sign.
Before beginning your first session, we'd like to get to know you a little better! A Participant Application Formis the first step in helping us understand what each individual’s background, experience, and specific challenges may be. Once all of your information is completed and submitted to us, we can talk more about how you would like to spend your time here at the farm, and how we can best serve you. We will schedule your first session and go from there!
What Does A Typical Session Look Like?
Sessions may include petting, grooming, feeding and bonding with a particular pony or horse, games and educational activities, or even riding in our outdoor arenas or trails (weather permitting). For those who are able and willing to ride, we emphasize that the gentle movement and warmth of the horse stimulates flexibility and a natural release of tension and stress. Participants can learn about the principles of safe horsemanship and the basics of riding, if one of their goals includes learning how to ride. For those who are unable or not ready to ride, many find deep satisfaction and empowerment in learning how to lead a horse from the ground, and most children simply love just being near these kind, intuitive, and loving animals. This program is unique and personal to each participant.
Are Participants Required to Ride?
Participants are not required to ride. In fact, many of our participants may be feel too weakened from their illness to even sit balanced on the horse. The children and teens who come here are ecstatic just to be able to interact with the horses and ponies~ brushing, feeding, petting, grooming and caring for them. Mounted and/or non-mounted time with the horse may include fun games that challenge and encourage the child. We may even do some exercises such as gentle fitness, stretching or even yoga on horseback to quiet the mind and refresh the soul, reinforcing the bond and special connection between child and horse. A hand led trail ride is always fun!
All activities, on or off the horse, are always centered around creating a nurturing and beautiful relationship between horse and child, and developing the bond that will help heal the spirit and provide unconditional love and support to each participant.
Helmets are always required for mounted activities, and will be provided.
Where Are Sessions Offered?
All sessions are offered at one location, Never Say Never Stables, a private farmette situated on 11 acres of trails, pasture and open meadow in the heart of Webster and conveniently close to Rochester and surrounding areas. Our address is 904 Maple Drive in Webster, NY, 14580.
When Are Sessions Offered?
Sessions are offered year round (weather permitting), and there is no minimum number of sessions required to participate. Sessions are by appointment or walk-in between the hours of 11 and 4 on Saturdays.
What Is The Cost?
For eligible participants, there is no charge. At present, Never Say Never does not receive any government or corporate financial support. Funds to run the program are obtained only through donations, fundraising and revenue generated from the other services and programs offered at the stables. Donations are appreciated, but not required. We strive to make this service accessible to all who can benefit from participating here. Donations of materials, new or used, are greatly appreciated. (see our "Wishlist" of things we can always use). To make a monetary donation, please click "Donate".
Who Is Eligible?
Never Say Never’s equine assisted activity sessions are offered to all who come here. Health issues and other social/emotional situations that are considered for eligibility can include but are not necessarily limited to the following:
· Cancer patients
· Long term or chronic illness
· Autism or Asberger’s
· At-Risk youth
· Anxiety Disorder, Depression, OCD, ADD/ADHD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Reactive Detachment Disorder, Learning Disabilities, documented social or emotional debilitation
· Life Transitions/Family Issues, trauma, abuse, neglect and/or life altering setbacks.
We hope to reach out to any child or teen who can find healing in the presence of our horses.
Interested participants must complete all 3 portions of the Rider Application Forms
packet.
equine assisted activities for children and teens living with cancer...or other life challenges.
Horses Healing Hearts is our equine assisted program dedicated to providing life enriching, horse related activities to children and teens living with cancer or other challenges...
Our Horses Healing Hearts program also serves those facing chronic illness, physical/mental and/or emotional difficulties, life challenges or setbacks such as family transitions, situational or long term depression,neglect, abuse,post traumatic stress disorder, general anxiety disorder, OCD, ADD, ADHD, fetal alcohol syndrome, autism, Asberger's, learning difficulties, at-risk youth and so much more. We hope to provide a unique and comforting experience to any individual who can benefit from the healing love of horses and other animals.
No one is turned away due to financial difficulty or other obstacles. ..There is absolutely NO set cost for this service to our eligible participants.We will accept donations, but they are not required. The farm and program are operated solely by volunteers and supported only by the revenue that is generated from NSN's summer camps, pony parties,lesson programs and services we offer, and donations from our educational farm field trips for schools, scout programs and special interest groups. NSN is a private organization that does not currently recieve any individual, corporate or government funding.To make a donation, please click here!
