A “Mitey” Moment: The Power of Human-Animal Relationships

I remember going to the Special Olympics Equestrian Games for the most successful of these riders, and then going about my own way to hoity-toity horse shows where blue ribbons meant status, not accomplishment. And once out on my own, I had an epiphany that pushed me to seek out another of these facilities, work towards my certification as an instructor, and get involved in something that could affect others in immeasurable ways, not just be a rich girl’s hobby.

What I wasn’t prepared for was how greatly my own life would be affected every day.

I found Misty Meadows Mitey Riders through a simple web search, and realized that they were only twenty minutes from my apartment. I contacted them about volunteering, and started helping out with the horses on the weekends. The family who founded Misty Meadows—and everything that comes with it—has since become a second family to me, and now I spend my weekends on the farm, working with the kids, riding horses, and enjoying time with some of the most genuine people I have ever found.

Just over a year after contacting Mitey Riders for the first time, I am a few hours and one workshop away from my NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) instructor certification. The children I work with all day on Saturday leave my body sore and my heart full. The day does not go by when a child who spends their day in a wheelchair gets to see the world from a different view, or a rider with Autism pushes past their challenges and completes a task without effort. By evening, I have had countless hugs, emotional ups-and-downs, and life-changing moments. The children in the program are the most affectionate, loving, and appreciative human beings I have ever met, and their parents treat every child on the farm as their own. For one hour that day, I get the honor of working with a child who challenges me—changes me—and their parents get a moment to catch their breath from a lifestyle that they manage every day.

Through all of this, I have learned several things that would otherwise seem obvious—unconditional love, patience, communication, and motivation. I have always known that there is power in the human-animal relationship—and our amazing horses bring that not only to their riders, but to their handlers as well. But moreover, I have had my faith in the human-human relationship strengthened. And it is definitely safe to say that the kids who ride at Mitey Riders are not the only ones receiving a healthy dose of therapy.