You are growing concerned about your two young boys and their progress reaching typical developmental milestones. There are challenges with attention; anxiety; writing; speech; muscle, core, and bone strength; and emotional self-control. A syndrome that could explain these challenges runs in your family’s history, and there’s no cure—but there are treatments and early intervention is critical. You’ve noticed that in a traditional therapy setting, your boys do the minimum and an emotional connection seems to be missing. Where can you find a different kind of therapy treatment that meets the varied needs of both your boys?
Taryn, Charlie, Rosie Girl, & Sandra
Becky searched for an answer to this question. Your own journey may be different than Becky’s, proud mom of Charlie and Thomas, but you can understand her concerns, the challenges her family continues to face, and her deep desire to provide the best opportunities and future for Charlie and Thomas. All of this led Becky’s family to therapy on horseback at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center and an eventual breakthrough. Initially, Thomas, Becky’s youngest boy, began therapy with Katie, a licensed speech-language pathologist, and oldest Charlie began therapy with Kelsie, a licensed physical therapist. Eventually, both boys transitioned to therapy with Taryn, a licensed occupational therapist (OT). Then the pandemic became a reality.
Thomas
Given COVID-19, Becky hesitated to bring her boys anywhere in public―people with disabilities often have health conditions that bring greater risks. After initial virtual therapy sessions with OT Taryn, and after receiving regular updates from Taryn on the safety protocols Little Bit put in place, Becky brought her boys back onsite at Little Bit for unmounted sessions, and shared, “. . . I could not imagine how safe I would feel taking my kids anywhere. Having the waiting area outside, having the washing station in addition to hand sanitizer, and having the doors open with fresh air in the therapy room. The careful thought to scheduling, sanitation, and making the kids feel good in this new normal was just astounding. I am so glad we chose to return to in-person therapy. I wanted to thank you and all the staff that must have worked tirelessly to make this happen.”
Then, this summer, came the breakthrough for which Becky had spent several years searching. OT Taryn researched therapies targeting dysgraphia with the goal of helping Charlie to be able to write his letters and numbers in the typical direction. Taryn designed cross-brain exercises for Charlie in the arena, barn, and therapy room. The difference between Charlie’s pre- and post-treatment writing was remarkable. Becky shared, “These therapists are just on top of their game . . . and there is no other therapy center that has the ability to offer so much outside.”
The Little Bit environment provides a rich source of therapeutic tasks for both Charlie and Thomas including leading a horse, sweeping, picking barn stalls and the arena floor, grooming, and cleaning hooves. Not only do these tasks lead to strengthening core and other muscles as well as improving balance, they also lead to improved thought sequencing, attention, body awareness, and emotional self-control. All of this has a positive effect on their schoolwork and home life.
If you witnessed a recent therapy session, you’d likely hear OT Taryn saying, “It’s time to pick the paddock. First, we’ll get the bucket and pitchfork. Then, we’ll find the urine and the poop. Next, we’ll pick only the waste and leave the shavings . . .” A favorite activity is pulling up a carrot for their horse fresh from the Little Bit carrot patch. At that point, you’d hear Taryn saying, “Remember, horses won’t eat dirt.” At Little Bit, Charlie is willing to change the subject from his favorite video games to the horses and the people around him.
Whether a family needs physical, occupational, or speech-language therapy, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center is prepared to meet those needs with top therapists, specially-trained horses, mounted or unmounted treatments, and 14 acres of unique opportunities that lead to life-changing results. According to Becky, “Little Bit therapists are the best of the best.”
Thank you, Becky—it’s our honor to serve your family and hundreds of others. We are tremendously grateful to Becky, Charlie, and Thomas for sharing their Little Bit story with us!
Written by Sharon Soldenwagner
Photo credit: Steve Birds Photography
