Chocolate AND Make Up!

The day began by the volunteers meeting at Laura’s early to set up our stations and prep the food for lunch. Abby and Belle our younger volunteers wrangled Henry the giant because he’d happily gotten some super muddy paws and feet earlier in the day. We didn’t want him to jump up and get anyone dirty.

Once the girls arrived we met in a circle in the front yard having each young lady fill out a form of which station they wanted to do. Laura asked them questions about their knowledge of horses and found that a few of them were very knowledgeable! She broke them up into teams and off we went.

Laura has three horses Toby, Maggie, Benny and one miniature horse Buster Brown. Elizabeth, Trish, Laura, and Allison worked with the girls helping to brush, pet, and lead them. You could tell a few of them were comfortable and we learned they attend equine therapy regularly.

Renee, Belle and Stefani worked with the crafting station. The girls were able to use watercolors creating beautiful pictures and making keychains or bracelets that held deep meaning for them. One young lady explained that her identical keychains with the word ALWAYS, were sentimental as it’s the word she and her mother shared and said before leaving one another. How beautiful is that? It’s amazing when they start working with their hands because that’s usually the best time for conversation and they really open up.

Out last station was inside where Abby sat with the girls while they snuggled the dogs and cat. We had our big guy Henry that loves to stand on his hind legs and give hugs, Mattie who just loves everyone, Gemma a small snuggler, and then Titus who lounges around and just likes to be pet.

We had a great lunch of sandwiches, chips, cookies and granola bars. We chatted about school and how they are ready for summer to get here.

As we were wrapping up we learned that two young ladies will be headed to foster homes which is phenomenal news! We were able to say our goodbyes before they left as we won’t see them again.

What a healing day this was!