My Nonprofit Reviews

I am a Special Educator for middle school students with moderate to severe autism. Each of my students face many challenges on a daily basis; including toe walking, noise sensitivity, anxiety in unfamiliar places and with unfamiliar people, sensory needs and much more. Aside from being a teacher I also do in home services for children with autism. One of my kiddos has been riding with Joan for a number of years. I had always heard how wonderful the place was and wanted to check it out for myself. Back in March, I took my students to ROSES for a field trip. I had one student who was extremely afraid of horses and I was very worried about him on the trip. Weeks before the trip I met Joan at the barn and she wonderful in taking me around to show me the ropes and how the barn provides such a vast amount of accommodations. I took a ton of pictures including a picture of her and Ms. Molly so I could make a social story to allow my students the chance to know what to expect before we got there. With Joan’s expertise and my enthusiasm to bring my students to ROSES, we were able to put together a great trip. Each one of my students had the chance to meet the horses, feed them, brush them and walk them. My kiddos were using their words, being gentle and keeping a calm body. My one student who is extremely scared of horses did a wonderful job. I was amazed by his willingness by the end of the trip to want to “be” with the horse. Joan and her volunteers were wonderful! It has been a few months since we have been to ROSES and my one student, who was once scared of horses, still talks about them and still wants to look at all the pictures that were taken during the trip. For me, my favorite part of the trip was watching my kiddos be so gentle and calm. I wish I could keep a horse in my classroom all day long . Once we had returned from the trip the students continue to stay in such a relaxed state. It was truly amazing. ROSES is such a wonderful facility. They truly know how to provide and are equipped to provide the appropriate modifications and accommodations necessary for kids to be successful. Thank you ROSES for being such a wonderful facility and providing such a wonderful opportunity for those in need of alternative therapy!

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