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Trust and an 1800 lb. friend.
One Saturday in June, J.J. and I walked through the lobby of Atria Campana Del Rio Retirement Facility. We were asked to join in on the rummage sale festivities in the courtyard. You should of seen the man at the front desks' mouth drop open as we walked through. One resident commented on how J.J. seemed to walk as if he were walking on egg shells. So cautious, so quiet and with such gentle steps. With just a little encouragement this 1800lb "Gentle Giant" slowly and calmly walked through from the front door to the back door. Talk about TRUST! He put his head down by my shoulder and his eye on mine and we walked and I talked and NO ACCIDENTS (of any kind) Whew! Some of the residents wanted to buy J.J., others wanted to sell him. J.J. had his heart set on some pillows for a dollar. We helped foster lots of healthy laughter and some very good social and physical interaction! Mission accomplished!
I had an opportunity to take one of my ponies into a house Tuesday for a young boy, who has been bed ridden for 8 years. It was his 16Th birthday and he loves horses. He couldn't come outside so we went in. Dillon our trusting, patient and quiet pony walked across the threshold into the kitchen, past the bubbling fish aquarium, past the couch and down the hall to find himself turning into a small carpeted bedroom with a hospital bed, lots of medical equipment, horse pictures on the walls and one special boy! The boys teacher brought pellets for Dillon and placed them in the boys bed. Now this was a new meaning of eating in bed. As Dillon would eat a pellet the boys teacher would place his hand on the side of Dillon's mouth to allow him to feel Dillon crunching the pellet. After Dillon was finished with his snack the boys therapist and mother picked the boy up, who weighed approx. 85lbs and laid him length wise on Dillons' back. The boys nose on the side of Dillons' neck and his skin touching Dillons' soft coat. He could feel Dillon breathing under him. He was in heaven. Horsey heaven!
At the end of our visit when the birthday boy was back in bed lying on his side, Dillon placed his muzzle next to him in the bed and fell asleep. The peacefulness of these two filled the room. The mom said that her son had never been so quiet and without the need for his oxygen for this length of time. She said he doesn't tolerate new positions at all. But evidently her birthday boy really loves horses. And Dillon was his lucky friend for the hour. Photograph courtesy of Lori Faith Merritt www.PhotographyByFaith.com
This is a picture from the bake sale on October 25th @ The Heritage Festival.
Thank you again for inviting us to do this with you, Nancie. The girls enjoyed it, and I hope the little bit we raised helped Step Up Into TLC. It was a community service project.
Brownie Girl Scout Troop # 1973
Leaders - Kathy Harrison, Jennifer Vogel, and Mindy Royer
Everyone, even the dog has work to do on the ranch. Little Emmy needs to be walked once a day.
The new meaning of "Pulling your own weight!"
This picture is Dillon sharing some quality time outside the Childrens Clinic.
A
SPOONFUL OF MOSEY HELPS THE MEDICINE GO DOWN!
By Nancie Roahrig
“Mommy, do I HAVE
to go to the Doctors? Please Mommy, I don’t want to go. That man gives
me the SHOT and it makes me cry. Therapy is hard and I don’t like to
do it.”
Do you remember when you were small? Did you like going to see that solemn-faced man in the white coat, the one who mumbled orders to you? “Open your mouth, say ah,” and I like this one, “this won’t hurt a bit just sit still.” Times have changed and so have our clinics and Doctors. Even though the shots are still a necessity and they still bring tears to our eyes, and therapy can feel worse then running up and down stairs on a humid day, the atmosphere and bedside manner of the doctors have become a lot more pleasant for our young children, especially when one little, black and white pony is allowed to help make the medicine go down.
Once a month, our little pony, named Mosey, shares his time along with myself, if I am good, greeting the children as they come for their appointments at the Children Clinic for Rehabilitation and to Tucson Medical Center Pediatric Ward. He provides a calming sensation while they gently pet him. He gives fun rides around the front patio for those who choose to do so. Pet Therapy is a wonderful catalyst in the children’s healing and therapeutic process.
Matthew, a happy go lucky little boy, born with a life long disability which has left him at the age of 6 with many medical, speech and physical problems, came with his parents to apply for services at the clinic. Mosey happened to be out front applying HIS special service. Matthew had no problem communicating his excitement, as he ran up to Mosey and began to pet him. His parents shared with us that he loved horses and always watched them closely on the television or picture books. So for him to get up on top of Mosey, it was a dream come true. Wide eyed and with his big beautiful smile, Matthew sat up on the saddle, his little hands wrapped around the horn and as he rocked back and forth he told Mosey, “Giddy Up.” Once his ride was done and he was walking away with his parents, Matthew looked over his shoulder, waved to Mosey and told his parents, “More Mosey, More!”
Mosey even gives some of the children rides to their car. We call this THE PONY EXPRESS! He has helped to cure the owies and stop the tears of some of the little patients that have had to undergo THE SHOT, pacifying without a pacifier. Oh yeah, the children love him and adults do too. We usually get a lot of the staff out to snuggle up to this little guy.
Mosey was a rescued pony. For the first five years of his life he was in and out of auctions. Being sold as a cute little gelding for some child only for the family to find out that he was still a stallion. An aggressive stallion at that. Mistreated, underweight and skin problems he was doomed until just by chance at one of the auctions a Rescue Horse Organization rescued him. This organization invested into gelding him, taught him some manners and brought him back to good health. I found out he was for sale and bought him and now have had the honor to watch him bring smiles as we have traveled the miles for the past six years giving rides to children at clinics, hospitals, hospice patients, birthday parties and special events around Tucson and it’s surrounding areas. This little guy really does have a purpose.
Now we hear the children say “ Mommy, Can I go to the Doctors, can I see my therapist and if they give me the SHOT, I might cry but I don’t mind because maybe Mosey, that little pony, my friend, he will be there and he will help make it all better.” (A spoonful of Mosey helps the medicine goes down!)
May 9, 2007:
The Children's clinic was awesome today. Four children in particular stood out in my mind. The whole group was deaf, including the caregivers. They were very quiet but spoke in volumes with their big dark brown eyes, their little hands, their BIG smiles and their body language. All getting to ride on Mosey and take a group picture. I had to be aware of the fact that I just couldn't speak to them as normal but communicated through actions. Mosey helped make their visit a pleasant memory.
What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
There were so many children at TMC Peds. So many tubes, wires, IV and Feeding Units, wheelchairs, broken arms and a wagon. I was almost overwhelmed. They all wanted to ride. Mosey tapped danced his way to their hearts. Tap dance, as one child called it when she heard his feet on the cement sidewalk. It was a little girls tenth birthday and she was pretty disappointed that she had to spend it in the hospital. When she got to ride this wonderful birthday pony, everyone sang happy birthday and brightened up her whole visit. So many happy precious faces, parents and staff included.
Make it a good day!!!!!
Nancie
A Horse of Course: Filling a Niche of Need by Don Blascak
For over eight years, Nancie Roahrig has been providing therapeutic support to children and adults with a variety of special needs. While helping people with special needs isn't unique, the tools of Roahrig's trade are unique. Her tools include a Percheron, a Clydesdale, an Arabian and two Shetland ponies. What these horses do is both surprising and a blessing to many.
Nancie's non-profit organization is called "Step Up to TLC" and the TLC part means Therapeutic Loving Caballos. The mission focuses on bringing smiles, fostering therapeutic healing, both emotionally and physically, and building self-confidence and social skills through people's interaction with horses. Although her organization is not faith-based, Nancie firmly believes that the service she offers is "God blessed".
The larger animals are draft horses and often pull carriages and wagons at a variety of events. The ponies offer pony rides. These activities help provide funds to sustain the real life work of the animals at schools, assisted living homes, pediatric wards and clinics where healing through touch and love is practiced.
The animals seem to know their purpose. Nancie tells of a visit to Handmaker Assisted Living where the Clydesdale entered the lobby, much to the delight of the client guests. In another instance Mosey, one of the Shetlands, visited a former cowboy in Hospice care who had made a final request to see a horse again before he passed away. Mosey provided the answer to that wish right in the cowboy's room.
Nancie has experienced times when the interaction of child or adult to horse has brought out great emotions, but she states that, too, is a part of healing. One of the most spectacular interactions she has observed was between one of the ponies and a child with autism. At first there was little awareness and then, with a nudge from the pony, an invisible veil was lifted. There was recognition and the passing of affection between horse and child as the child embraced the pony.
Nancie asks for little as she foresees growth in her programs and activities. She could use some horse panels, misters, fans and some lumber to build armadas for shade for the animals. She is funded by private donations, foundations and grants and the "suggested donations" she collects from her carriage rides, pony rides and wagon trips. For more information or bookings, please contact Nancie at 400-7426.
A peaceful morning! Our normal Wednesday visit not so normal
October 2, 2008
Mosey full filled his mission yesterday morning with a peaceful presence.....
We began early at TMC Pediatrics. The little patients came out into the sunshine to meet Mr. Mosey. One little girl rode and another little boy was quite content soaking up the sunshine and petting this black and white furry friend. His parents had said they had been stuck inside for the past four days since he had been admitted. It felt good to be outside and to see their son smiling again.
Our next stop was TMCs Hospice. The RNs and Administration staff invite Mosey to come right on inside. Mosey loves going inside......between the AC and the attention, he's a happy pony. This morning we went into ten different rooms with ten different patients all with ten different stories. Our quiet and loving little guy would place his muzzle on their beds or pillows and fall asleep while being caressed and hearing how they too had horses or just loved animals.
We walked into one room where a woman was having difficulties with comfort. Her family members were trying to calm her and with a tired and frustrated look they asked if we could help. Mosey and I went beside her bed. Mosey placed his head next to her body and I picked up her hand and began gently stroking Mosey's face. With calming, quiet words and the softness of Mosey this woman began to find some peace. Her body began to relax, her eyes closed and she drifted into sleep. Her family, exhausted looked relieved. They now felt that their loved one was quiet and comfortable and this gave them permission for them to go home.
Mosey and I met a very special young woman who had lost all mobility of her body. Although trapped in her body and diagnosed with a terminal illness she had such a kind personality and witty sense of humor. She was so pleased to see and meet Mosey. She had done gymkhana when her body was healthy. She loved horses. She asked if I could pick her hand up and place it on Mosey. Mosey placed his nose on her pillow next to her arm. I picked up her hand and her fingers wiggled threw his mane and fur. She then asked if I could bring her hand up to her nose so that she could smell Mosey. Once a horse lover always a horse lover--that smell--awe!!! She asked if I could parade Mosey around the room so that she could see him move and his coloring. After our session, as we were leaving I noticed a smudge from Moseys' nose on her pillow. I apologized and she laughed and said---"Horse boogies! Now, that will be a conversation for everyone who comes to visit me, thanks Mosey!"
Our last room we were intercepted by the family. With tears in their eyes they said If only you would of been here ten minutes ago. She loved animals and horses but she has passed. I looked at them and said, her spirit is still here may we go in anyway, just for a moment? With a sense of gratitude they said "Of coarse" The older brother warned me that his younger brother was in the room and that he was very angry. Mosey and I walked in. Mosey placed his muzzle on her body and closed his eyes. The brother began to tell us about his sister, laughing and crying, he shared memories. The other brother and family members came in and we all stood there. The tension between the brothers seem to be placed aside as they watched Mosey and talked. Bringing a sense of peace into the room on all levels.
Mosey and I couldn't forget our visit to The Children's Clinic and we are glad we didn't. We had several children ride but we found out that our mission that day was to help bring warm fuzzies to the employees. A stressful morning with new changes. And you know how we all love change! So they came out one by one. Faces and bodies, their smiles on the edge..........They pet, talked and loved this little pony, who's unconditional love and presence was all they needed. A shot of Mosey helped the pressures of change a little more bearable.
Thanks to all of you for your support and in helping us continue to travel the miles for smiles...
Many Blessings,
Nancie Roahrig
These Sneakers were Made for Walking! December 11, 2008
Snickers was on a mission. To accomplish this he had to prepare by taking safety measures onto his own hooves. I was in charge of putting on his new black and white, tie in the front sneakers. After placing them on and checking to see if our two volunteers had the clean up equipment & camera, Snickers was ready to walk his sneakers into University Medical Center and take the elevator to the 6Th floor. The elevator was not his favorite part of the journey but it was a necessity. It was the only way he could see the children and create the smiles.
His first visit was a little 7 month old who had spent her entire life in the hospital. Tubes and lines attached to her little body didn't stop the RN and her Mom from picking her up and placing her on the back of Snickers. Her first pony ride...A cherished memory for her Mom...Snickers went into all three Pediatric wings and saw over 30 children that day. Riding the elevator several times from the 6th to the 3rd and back down to the 1st floor. He was a trooper!
Walking the hallways he would continually throw his hind right shoe. After several attempts of putting it back on we decided, with the advise from Anne, our volunteer to walk him slow, just to be on the safe side. We didn't want Snickers to go slip sliding away---
Snickers fell asleep at bedsides as he felt the loving hands upon him from the patients and their family members. He saw age groups from infant (more pet therapy for the parents) to 20 year old young adults. He helped them all to forget for just a moment where they were and why they were there. He helped bring smiles and comfort. Conversation and laughter. Healing movements and the gift of a simple touch from a soft nose.
Those sneakers were made for walking and that's just what they did--that day those sneakers just walked into the hearts of all those who witnessed Snickers and his volunteers in University Medical Center. Mission Accomplished!
P.S. Two hours inside and we never had to use the clean up equipment-whew!
This is a story from Paul Stephanus explaining a educational presentation we did for Oasis of Tucson on River Rd. Nov. 2008 http://www.oasisnet.org
As for the "script"...first the costume description. I wore my dark bath robe and a dark woolen hat pulled down over my (still dark) hair. I walked out first onto the
stage from behind the wall to see the seated audience. Only one chair was on stage. I ambled over to the chair. I was solemn, grim and decrepit. (Unlike my usual personable
and perky self...LOL). I sat down and sort of slumped over a bit. As I proceeded to nap (method actor that I am), Anne came out and explained that we were going to show how
Nancie works her magic with her equine assistants at a senior facility. Anne introduced me to the audience as Paul, age 92 and living in an elder care facility
for 10 years. Then I lifted my head and croaked out how I really don't talk much anymore and that on most days I just take naps in front of the TV (again good method acting paid
off). Then Nancie and Anne slowly brought over Snickers the mini-horse and JJ the Clydesdale. Nancie and Anne took my bent arthritic hands and placed them on the muzzle of
each animal. At first I am apprehensive and hesitant. Nobody touches me with tenderness anymore. I slowly take both my hands and rub Snickers muzzle and then I put my face
against his soft velvety cheek. Our eyes meet and I know he understands me somehow and I am mesmerized and comforted by these noble beasts so big and so small that have come to
spend time with me here. I begin to remember and think how once I owned horses and how wonderful it was. For a few moments in time my world has color again and I am smiling. My
eyes fill up with tears of joy. Something powerful has happened.
Needless to say, you could hear a pin drop. Mission accomplished.
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