LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Some Elida Bulldogs are developing better reading skills thanks to some gentle giants.
Elida Elementary students have been using the Equestrian Therapy Program this school year to add some horsepower to their reading skills. The program got a grant to help develop various hands-on activities that improve vocabulary, comprehension of words, and developing phonics skills with the horses. Besides improving their reading, the students are also gaining confidence each time they come out to Fassett Farm.
"When we first started coming out here, well Camden is an example, we couldn't get him in the barn," says Nikki Bowers, special ed teacher's aide at Elida Elementary. "And now we are actually getting him in the arena, and he is participating with the horses. But it has really brought them a long way to conquer their fears. To follow the directions that they are given."
"It helps them gain a lot of confidence, and the horse do engage them and they do a lot of hands-on activities," says Michele Andrews-Sabol, Executive Director of Equestrian Therapy Program. "They get to put words on the horses, learn the parts of the horses by doing the names of each body part. They are just interacting with them and the horses make it really enjoyable for them."
This is the second year that the Elida students have been working on their reading skills at the Equestrian Therapy Program. You can learn more about the Equestrian Therapy Program by visiting https://www.etpfarm.org/.
