Mini Horse Helpers

MINI HORSE HELPERS PROVIDES "MINI" CAMPS FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN IN FAYETTE COUNTY, TX, A RURAL AREA IN CENTRAL TEXAS. THESE "MINI" CAMPS ARE 1-2 HOURS LONG AND ARE CUSTOM DESIGNED TO MEET EACH CHILD/CHILDREN'S NEEDS AND GOALS. WE HAVE 2 VOLUNTEERS CERTIFIED THROUGH THE EQUINE EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (E3A) AND USE EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING TECHNIQUES. THESE VOLUNTEERS WORK WITH THE CHILD/CHILDREN'S PARENTS, COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, THERAPISTS, AND/OR CASA ADVOCATE TO CREATE A PROGRAM FOR EACH CLIENT. A GROUP OF TRAINED VOLUNTEERS THEN WORK WITH THE CHILD/CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS THROUGH ACTIVITIES AND INTERACTIONS WITH OUR MINIATURE HORSES. IN 2021, MHH HOSTED 112 TOTAL CAMPS. WE SERVED A TOTAL OF 169 CLIENTS. WE SAW SOME CLIENTS EVERY MONTH, WHILE OTHERS WE SAW SPORADICALLY DUE TO COVID. OUR 11 MINIATURE HORSES ARE CONTINUOUSLY TRAINED TO WORK WITH THESE SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN BY A GROUP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS. WHILE WE CANNOT USE QUANTITATIVE OUTCOMES FOR ACHIEVEMENT, WE CAN SEE THE GROWTH OF THE CHILDREN THROUGH THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH THEIR PARENTS, TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, THERAPISTS, AND ADVOCATES, WHO GIVE US CONSTANT FEEDBACK. WE HAVE MULTIPLE CLIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR YEARS. IN 2021, MHH ALSO HELD 3 AUTISTIC GROUP CAMPS DURING THE SUMMER (2 MYSTERY CAMPS AND AN ART CAMP) AND FINALLY HOSTED AN ADULT WORKSHOP THAT WAS INITIALLY PLANNED FOR 2020.