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From TODAY correspondent Jill Rappaport
I've always known the power of horses and their ability to be therapeutic -- I've ridden since I was a child and am now so blessed to own several of them.
When I heard about a magical place in Michigan called Camp Casey, which offers horseback-riding sessions for children fighting cancer, I knew I had to tell its incredible story.
The non-profit organization started after founder Molly Melamed befriended a precocious 12-year-old named Casey Foote, who was suffering from brain and bone cancer. Despite their age difference, they both shared a true passion for horses.
Sadly, in 2003, Casey lost her battle with the cruel disease. Molly knew what she had to do -- start a sanctuary to honor her dear friend's memory.
This place was named Camp Casey, a place where ailing kids can forget about their treatments, prognosis and pain -- even if just for an hour -- and saddle up with their families watching in true delight.
The program also offers "House Calls," where organizers bring a horse to kids' backyards. I accompanied the group on one such outing to visit Maya Brown, a beautiful 8-year-old struggling with leukemia.
Maya's face lit up when she saw four-legged "Mo" neighing on her Detroit sidewalk. She jumped right on his back and rode up and down her street with such energy and enthusiasm.
I will never forget the first-hand effect this horse had on the sick child. It was truly beautiful.
And for Maya and all the children who are involved with Camp Casey, this is the best medicine they could ever ask for ...
For more information about Camp Casey, including how to lend your support or to find more information about its outreach programs, click here.
Updated on June 11: Watch the segment below.
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We have a group like this in Brevard County Florida. Harmony Farms. They work with the physically and mentally handicapped. Big fund raiser this weekend if any one is interested www.floridatoday.com. Wish Jill would do a story on this great group of folks
I have something associated I want to share with you. Toby Freeman who lives in Bedford, NH, she is a speech pathologist and therapist who works with children and adults with disabilities 6 days a week. 3 days out of the 6, she uses HORSES in her therapy sessions.
She has been in this field for almost 30 years and is considered an expert in her field. She has an office practice in Bedford, NH and offers Hippotherapy at Halona Stables, Deerfield, NH. Website: www.nhhorsetalk.com
I have had the opportunity to volunteer with her as a side walker in her hippotherapy program for 3 years. Hippotherapy is a tool which uses horses to promote stimulation to the child's nervous system, their muscles, breathing, brain, balance and most importantly, their sense of enjoyment. Her success is astonishing and the progress of her patients is just amazing. She has a occupational therapist on her staff that works next to her so the child's other physical issues can be addressed at the same moment. I have witnessed non verbal kids who are speaking within a few weeks. Watching her patients grow in muscle tone and become more stable. I see the confidence and happiness on their faces. I will say again, it is truly amazing! She IS a miracle worker and that can be verified by the parents of these great kids.
Toby's goal is to bring this program to as many children as she possibly can. She works with the parents who are less able to afford her services, finding scholarships, grants and even providing the services for almost nothing. Her heart is in her work, her kids and her passion is to help as many as she can.
If you would, please contact Toby and talk to her (603-472-3144 or at tfspeech@aol.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). She has a lot to offer and a lot to share with the parents in New England who have children with these disabilities. She is making a huge difference in not only the lives of these children but also the parents. I have observed the smiles, the tears and the pride of these parents. This is an everyday occurrence; tears of joy are common at the barn in Deerfield, NH where she has her horses. She also provides lessons to children with disabilities and any others who are interested. She is also certified as a NARHA clinical riding instructor for therapeutic riding.
Please take a look at Toby's web page, http://nhhorsetalk.com it will give you a good understanding of how the program works and how she uses it to improve the lives of so many kids. And please talk to Toby, she wants to spread this message to as many as she can. She is very articulate, knowledgeable and will have a lot of wonderful things to share with you.
On the show today, they stated that it would be great to start a "Camp Casey" all around America. I live right outside Nashville, Tn., and would love to start one here! We have Vanderbilt Children's Hospital located here and it would be a perfect place to have a program like this with horses, and I have the perfect horse to do that !!! Please contact me and let's get started !!!
Roberts Woods Farm sponsered a horseback ring program for five wonderful children from the Hasenfeld Center in New York City. The children were in various stages of cancer and leukemia treatment. We also had yoga, organic food, and horsey crafts. It was a resounding success. Tears and laughter abounded. The children felt empowered, several overcoming a fear of animals.
Our partners were four Icelandic Horses. We ended our three-day clinic with a horse show--the kids steered through an obstacle course, did tricks with their horses, and ended with a glorious tolt down the long side of the arena.
We also work with autism, Down's Syndrom, cerebral palsy, and other conditions. Especially impressive is the ongoing progress in language development and core strength.
Web site: www.RobertsWoodsFarm.org
So sorry to hear about your beloved dog, Jill. They give us so much and it's totally unconditional. http://minstrelinthegallery.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html
There are several wonderful organizations in Ohio that provide therapy using horses. If anyone needs help finding a program in their area, I would be happy to help.
Glenda Childress
www.pbjconnections.org
Jill, thank you so much for this wonderful segment. I didn't nkow that there was even an organization out there that had these services. And the fact that it's completely free to those who need it is incredible.
It's inspired me to hold a fundraiser for them in the near future. I want to help these children any way I can. I'll be contacting them to what else I can do to help.
Thanks again!
Christine
http://pmispa.wordpress.com
http://www.pmicreations.com
Our friends just rec'd their horsey house call! Its such a blessing for the family! Thank You Camp Casey!