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Kids, Hold Your Horses

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2007

THONOTOSASSA - It's not uncommon for emotionally troubled kids, no matter how much they are hurting, to shudder at the thought of going through a self-help treatment program.

Joseph Callan, a Temple Terrace-based clinical social worker, should know. In his nearly 20 years of private practice, he has counseled countless children who have been victims of physical and emotional abuse. He also has worked with others who have experienced the loss of family members through death and divorce.

'Kids typically just don't like therapy,' Callan said.

There are exceptions. One is the Traverse program that Callan and Thonotosassa horse stable owner Glenda Henderson co-founded in 1993.

'It all started when I was seeing a kid in the office, and through my association with Glenda she started bringing him out here,' Callan said. 'By the end of the year, he rode in horse shows and won ribbons. He was really a changed kid.'

Traverse is an acronym derived from Trauma Resolution and Victims' Essential Recovery Services, and its treatment method is equestrian-based therapy.

Over nine months coinciding with the school year, a maximum of six children ages 8 through 16 meet for two hours twice a week at Henderson's stable, where they receive horse-riding instruction and participate in group-therapy sessions. The latter are dubbed circle of friends meetings.

Parents are responsible for their children's transportation and must also attend a weekly two-hour interactive parent session intended to help one another deal with their children's problems and family issues.

Children build their horsemanship skills from the ground up, first learning about the animals' anatomy and how to groom them. They also are taught safety issues and the care and use of equipment used in riding a horse. The final step before they take control of the reins is to master how to lead and control the animals.

'This process helps them form trusting relationships with the horses and get them ready to ride by the end of October,' said program director Callan, who has a staff of three part-time workers and an arsenal of about a dozen volunteers.

Traverse participants and their parents must commit to complete the program and meet specific objectives laid out at the beginning.

'These goals - including personal, family, horse and school - are closely monitored throughout the year,' Callan said. 'Each kid has to buy into the program and want to make a change.'

A graduation ceremony is held at the end of the year in which the participants perform precision drills to demonstrate their horsemanship skills. They have their photos taken with 'their' horses and are awarded trophies and certificates.

'It's a big deal,' Callan said, adding that Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies participate in the ceremony. 'At this point, the kids have developed a real sense of empowerment, as well as assertive but nonviolent ways to manage their horses.'

Henderson, whose family has owned the stables and riding range for almost 50 years, obtains permission from those who board their animals at the 5-acre facility to use their horses for the program. They receive no compensation for their services.

'My greatest reward is seeing children grow up and now volunteer to help kids and participate in the circle of friends,' said equestrian director Henderson, who is certified as a therapeutic equestrian instructor by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

She also feels a sense of accomplishment when the children who have graduated return to participate in Traverse's after-care program, offered the first and third Saturday monthly for kids to ride and interact with others who have been through the program.

Henderson and Callan also are thankful to have their team of volunteers, who assist children in learning horsemanship skills and join in the circle of friends discussion group. They also are able to join in conversations about the horses, parents or any other topic the kids wish to bring up. All discussions are confidential.

'This program would be very hard to do without a team. We really support each other,' Callan said.

Volunteer Allen Kemp of Thonotosassa has been a member of the Traverse team for three years. He has had to rearrange his schedule as a hair stylist to help out.

'I met Glenda one day while riding, and no one has ever been this nice to me. She told me about the program, and I just kept coming back night after night,' Kemp said. 'I just get a good feeling to see them go from the bottom up. That's good therapy for us.'

Thonotosassa resident and social worker Allison Douglas, who has partial ownership of two of the horses used for therapy, is in her fourth year as a volunteer. She has worked with kids and parents.

'Traverse is my home now, and I plan to be around here as long as I live. It's a family,' she said. 'This is how life is, and it's taught me quite a bit.'

Volunteer Allison Phlipot, 19, who graduated from the program six years ago, also considers the people there 'family.' She has since made it a priority to give back to those who dramatically helped her turn her life around.

'It's just the best group of real people who really care about people's lives,' said Phlipot, a retail manager who has taken some courses at Hillsborough Community College and has plans to return.

'When my parents couldn't help me, they were always here for me,' the Carrollwood resident said.
Callan requested that participants not be interviewed this early in the program.

Traverse participants come from across the county and from all walks of life, Callan said. They are referred by social service agencies, schools and parents.

Donors are crucial to the program because they help supplement the $45 weekly fee for children to attend.

'Hardly any of the parents are able to pay for all of it,' Callan said.

Those interested in learning more about the program or donating to it can visit www.traversekids.org or call Callan at (813) 980-3488.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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