a good week

Although my school work has been keeping me pretty busy, this was a really good week. Earlier this week I secured a paid internship with Holland America, and I will spend a week of winter break sailing around the Caribbean on there newest ship. While this doesn't really have anything to do with therapeutic riding or recreation, I figured I would mention it because I am really excited about having the opportunity to go.
This week I also found my dream internship! The place is called Aspen Ranch and it is located in rural Loa, Utah. My wonderful friend Rose told me about this place, and I am so glad she did because I don't think I would have ever found it on my own. Aspen Ranch is a long term residency facility for teens. The program includes school, regular therapy, recreational therapy. But the best part is that the entire program revolves around an amazing equine therapy program. Check out the website for more details:
http://www.aspenranch.com/equine.html
The program focuses on using the horses to help the teens through whatever issues they are dealing with. The goal is for the teens to create a rapport with their horses, and work through their issues with the horses as partners. Some of the parts of the program that stand out to me are that all of the teens (regardless of riding ability) have to start out riding bareback and eventually earn their saddles. Once they have earned their saddles and have become good enough riders they are given a chance to train their own wild mustang.  It is so amazing!
I also had a really good time at volunteering this week too! The time flies by at the farm, and I find myself continuously smiling. This week I got to side walk for the first time, which is where you walk next to the rider and help them stay balanced or assist them in using their reins. I really enjoy getting the opportunity to try all of the aspects in therapeutic riding. Also, when you are teaching it is really important to know what it like to do the things you are asking your students and volunteers to do. It also gives me a chance to interact more with the students and to watch and listen to what the instructors are doing.