EquiFriends Riders -
Now Andréa smiles from the inside!
By Erin Ragland (Andréa’s mother)
My daughter, Andréa, (age 9) has been riding at EquiFriends since June 2004. In that time, I have seen marvelous things. Andréa suffers from a mental disorder. It is suspected to be Bipolar Disorder, but she has yet to be diagnosed with that. She has been diagnosed with ADD, OCD, and ODD, and she has been taking medication to help her to control her rages, mood swings, and attention span. Andréa has endured through countless therapies, doctors and psychiatrists to no solution or satisfaction. She has been in a number of intensive group therapies to learn how to get along with others, and how to manage her anger. Unfortunately, until now only medication has given her the ability to blend into society. Well, that was until she began equestrian therapy at EquiFriends. Andréa no longer just blends in; she has become compassionate, thoughtful, nurturing and considerate of others due to what this type of therapy has given to her. Since riding “Proof”, Andréa has become confident, her attention span has improved dramatically, and she finally smiles from the inside. My daughter is coming to life, and because of EquiFriends, she has a chance at a future that without this program would not be possible.
My daughter is part of an up and coming generation, and she has been lost her entire life. She was disconnected and unable to make or keep friends. All of that has changed since equestrian therapy. My child is becoming a success in school, family, church, and in herself. I am so proud of my Andréa, and thankful to this program and the amazing staff, the generous volunteers, and to the horses that are willing to give these children something that humans cannot. I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to get to know the little girl I gave birth to over nine years ago. I wouldn’t trade what EquiFriends has given us for anything in this world.
Nothing is more important to me than giving Andréa every opportunity to build character, integrity and worth. I have tried everything possible before equestrian therapy, only to be disappointed over and over again. This therapy is re-writing Andréa from the inside out. It is allowing her to become who she was meant to be. Please support this program and the children whose lives are being miraculously impacted by creatures who do not use words in their form of friendship and healing.