Not Just Horsing Around

There’s something about being astride a horse that changes the outlook of disabled youngsters in a very positive way. Dana Vennen, THH’s executive director, has witnessed many such miracles. “Just sitting on a walking horse does wonders for people who have serious physical challenges,” she says.

Wednesday - March 11, 2009

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Above: Teresa Dillon rides while (from left) Dana Vennen, Kelsey Naftel and Misty Murphy walk Top photo: (from left) Michelle Torres and Kelsey Naftel

Teresa Dillon can’t run, talk, chew or swallow, but she can ride a horse.

The 7-year-old Makiki girl was born with microcephaly, a genetic condition in which the circumference of the head is smaller than normal because the brain has not developed properly. Resulting neurological problems include mental retardation, impaired motor functions and speech, and difficulties with coordination and balance.

Teresa started weekly riding lessons with Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii (THH) four years ago, and “the results have been amazing!” says her mother, Shaujwo Wong. “She fell in love with the horses at first sight, and she’s so happy when she’s there. When she first went to Therapeutic Horsemanship, she wasn’t walking. She couldn’t keep her feet in the stirrups, and she kept sliding off the saddle, so the two people holding her would have to keep repositioning her.”


Today, Teresa walks to her lessons holding Wong’s hand. She can use the reins to turn and halt her horse, and her posture, balance, coordination and body strength have improved to the point where she no longer has to be fully supported when she’s seated in the saddle.

Dana Vennen, THH’s executive director, has witnessed many such miracles. “Just sitting on a walking horse does wonders for people who have serious physical challenges,” she says. “Their trunk muscles are constantly working to compensate for the horse’s motion. They also develop fine motor skills by brushing their horse and picking up rings and balls and putting them in a basket while they’re mounted.”

Founded in 1983, THH is a nonprofit organization based at the polo field in Waimanalo. A member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), it primarily serves physically and/or mentally disabled children age 2 to 12 years old, but it welcomes riders of any age and ability.

Misty Murphy leads Sarah Bunch

Since Vennen came aboard in 2001, THH has grown from having three children per week riding two horses to more than 100 students per week riding 15 horses, including Kolo, a quarterhorse; Hombre, an American Appaloosa; and Sweetie, a thoroughbred. THH also holds birthday parties and group presentations for schools, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Wounded Warriors from Schofield Barracks. Twenty-five volunteers and six NARHA-certified riding instructors (including Vennen) keep operations running smoothly.

“We use horses as therapeutic tools,” Vennen says. “Aside from the physical benefits, our riders gain confidence when they realize they can tell a 1,000-pound animal what to do. Most of them don’t have much control of their lives. When they’re here, they’re happy to discover they do have the power to control some aspects of their environment.”

Lifting a rider on a horse’s back has an enormous psychological impact. “Many of our students are used to looking up at their parents, teachers and situations,” Vennen says. “Changing their perspective so they’re looking down on things is really empowering. It increases their self-esteem and gives them a sense of accomplishment. They also connect with horses in a way they’ve never been able to connect with people.”

Teresa Dillon grabs a loop off a pole as Misty Murphy and Laurie Ehrman cheer her on

Vennen has observed therapeutic riding programs and participated in NARHA conferences across the country. In September, she flew to Hong Kong to watch the world’s best riders with disabilities compete in the Paralympic Games.

“I traveled with my mentor, Jenny Nell Schulte, the program director of Little Bit Therapeutic Riding in Seattle, one of the largest therapeutic riding programs in the United States,” she says. “Jenny previously coached the United States’ Paralympic equestrian team, and she introduced me to some of the top therapeutic riding professionals in the world. That was pretty exciting stuff for a girl from Waimanalo!”


Another high point for Vennen last year was obtaining an $85,000 grant from the GIFT Foundation of Hawaii to upgrade THH’s facilities, including building a new arena and barn, which was completed in December. The renovations, she says, “will enable us to better serve our large and diverse community. We provide a safe place for people to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors, riding horses and learning about and interacting with animals.”

In addition to horses, THH is home to a petting zoo with three goats, three rabbits, several cats and a blue-eyed pot-bellied pig named Petunia. “Animals are incredible, loving companions,” Vennen says. “Spending time with them is great therapy for me, especially in our beautiful, peaceful country setting. The Ko’olau Mountains are right in front of us. We see birds and rainbows in the sky. A few hours here refreshes your mind and rejuvenates your soul.”

Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii 259-7107 or 342-9036 www.thhwaimanalo.org

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