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At New England Institute of Technology,
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students and graduates.
But today, you’re taking care of us.
To all of the nurses, first responders,
respiratory therapists, surgical
technicians, and other health care
workers on the front lines of the
COVID-19 pandemic – whether you
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not – New England Tech says
THANK YOU.
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her bridle before easing it into her mouth.
“She’s a princess, and can be ornery, but
she’s my sweetheart,” he says.
Cournoyer, Yellow Horse co-founder
and assistant executive director, explains
that all horses have a different gait, a
weight limit, energy level and mannerisms.
“If we have a tense client, we put
them on a horse with a rocking chair gait,
a low tone to loosen up the client. Or if we
have a relaxed client, we’ll put them on a
faster gait horse, like Lily, to straighten
them up. With Jake, it doesn’t matter, he
could ride just about any horse. He has
confidence and balance, and can use his
techniques to ride her independently.
Some clients, like our youth clients with
autism, can’t do that, so we put them on a
smaller, gentler horse.
“All horses go through training to do
this. We trial a horse before we use them,
to see how they fit,” Cournoyer adds. “We
need a horse to not be reactive. They’re
working with kids and adults who have
autism, so we need a horse with a calm
demeanor, who is willing to approach clients
and isn’t dancing around excitedly.”
Being bomb-proof, however, has its
price. For humans and horses to get into
this business, it is its own lesson in commitment
and compassion, and oftentimes,
grief. Many horses that find their way to
this line of work had their own history
of illness or abuse, Maloof and Winnes
say. Winnes’s brood mare, Eden, was destined
for slaughter when Winnes rescued
her. One of Maloof’s therapy horses lost
an eye while others were abandoned and
left for dead. In this shared loss, the clients
bond with horses in a way no human therapist
can.
“Once I became certified in the Gestalt
method, I employed Diesel and other
horses as my co-coaches. I chose the horses
that I felt were most intuitive to be my
healing herd,” Winnes explains. “It took
time to develop a herd with the personalities
needed for this work. Eden came into
my life to save me during my own tough
time. She is my healing partner.”
126 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MAY/JUNE 2020