My Nonprofit Reviews

As a Therapet volunteer, one of the children's camps that we volunteer at is Camp Teneha. My favorite! We serve autistic and handicapped children by assisting Occupational Therapists with many activities. The camp is scheduled and organized by the Panola College OTA (Occupational Therapist Assistant)program. I have been volunteering with Therapet's miniature horse program and assisting my daughter who is also a Therapet volunteer in the mini program and with her therapy dog, Lilly for six years. The first time I attended camp Teneha and had the opportunity to work with those OTA students and the children, I knew that I was in my element. The horses have double lead ropes attached so the children have the sense that they are leading the horse all alone. It gives them confidence to feel like they are in control because there are so many things in their life that they have no control over. The children paint the horses and lead them through fun and educational obstacles. They respond to the horses and dogs in ways that they would never respond to the Therapists. The first time, I witnessed this phenomenal process, I knew that I desired Therapet volunteering and therapy work to be a part of my life for years to come. I also volunteer at a rehab. hospital in Tyer with my daughter and her therapy dog, Lilly. Again, I see the patients relating to Lilly and willing to do those arm exercising reps by throwing the ball over and over for Lilly to go fetch and bring back. The smiles and joy on their faces and before they know it, the repition excercises are done. We went through approx. two years of training with our animals and continue training on a yearly basis. Therapet is totally committed to the safety and well being of the people they serve, the animals, and their volunteers.

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