TAILS FROM WINDY ACRES Animals as Natural Therapy Quarterly

Summer 2006

Our Mission: Animals as Natural Therapy strengthens our community by developing healthy, resilient individuals through animal-assisted education and personal growth.

Our Vision: We provide a safe, nurturing environment where persons practice skills essential for meaningful and successful relationships based on mutual respect, communication, responsibility and trust. The relationship skills developed with farm animals carry over into the rest of one’s life.

The viola seedlings that I wrote of in the spring newsletter are now overflowing with color and beauty. Everything is green and lush, as we had many warm and sunny spring days and rainy nights - so everything is a-growin’! As I sit at the picnic table overlooking the farm and listening to the chatty birds, I realize how lucky I am just to be alive, living my life, and writing this outside! Wow! What could be better? Today we have a new arrival, a Missouri Fox Trotter gelding named “Red,” who is getting to know the other residents. Of course, Sundance and Rusty are the most inviting; maybe because they were born here they think it is their job to greet the newcomers and they take their welcoming job pretty seriously – usually within a few days, Rusty has the newbie running and playing with him. Since my son Matthias (now 21) raised him, I guess they are a lot alike -- both very outgoing and playful and athletic…always talking someone else into a little innocent mischief! Eugenio Carceres, our exchange student from East Timor, has finished his first year of English as a Second Language at Whatcom Community College and made a lot of friends from all over the world! He is the first participant in our Capacity Development Education Program, which is funded by a grant combining education with animal-assisted therapy solicited by our partner NGO (non-governmental organization) working with at-risk youth in East Timor, Ba Futuru (For the Future), www.bafuturu.com. The funding has just come through for another year with us! It has been wonderful to watch Eugenio’s courage unfold as he learned to work with the horses. And his help with them is invaluable. His favorite horse to ride is Sucia, but he loves Babes a lot. On the local level, we have developed a partnership with Northwest Youth Services for our Day Camps. And this spring for 12 weeks we welcomed kids from the Meridian School District in their after school program COMPASS: Creating Opportunities in Meridian for Parent and Student Success (enjoy the photos of the kids from the program throughout the newsletter!). We continue to work with youth from Catholic Community Services and are excited to start a parenting program in the fall for their teen parents in recovery. Horses can teach a lot about parenting: mutual respect, trust, honest communication, V-thinking (asking in the nicest way possible), and our Full Value Contract, setting up a physically and emotionally safe environment. We’re very excited to be selecting our new Americorps VISTA volunteer in the next two weeks – big thanks to Whatcom Opportunity Council for this. Thanks also to Sharon Hoofnagle, our local vet, who has donated her valuable time to give a free health exam to each of the 11 horses in our herd! And thanks to volunteer Dick Ward and his numerous work parties with local teens, we’ll dedicate our newly-finished meeting room in the 100-year-old barn at our July 15 Bluegrass Bash! Blessed be your summer.

~ Sonja and the Critters

Recent and Upcoming EventsRecent and Upcoming EventsRecent and Upcoming EventsRecent and Upcoming Events

See the back page for information on the Annual

Bluegrass BashBluegrass BashBluegrass BashBluegrass Bash!

Animals as Natural TherapyAnimals as Natural TherapyAnimals as Natural TherapyAnimals as Natural Therapy Executive Director: Sonja Wingard, wingard6@comcast.net Office Manager: Jessica Allende, animalsasnaturaltherapy@comcast.net Bookkeeper: Abby Soley Riding Instructor: Anne Atkeson

Page 2 Tails from Windy Acres Summer 2006

Poker RidePoker RidePoker RidePoker Ride Our May Poker Ride was our most successful yet! Sponsored by Quality Mobile Home Services, Manza & Moceri, the staff at Conservation Northwest, Hardware Sales, and individual donations, the event brought nearly 100 folks to the Les Hilde Trailhead for a day of horseback riding, good food, raffle drawings and fun. Thanks to all who participated and look for details on next year’s ride in the coming months.

Family Farm DayFamily Farm DayFamily Farm DayFamily Farm Day Our spring Family Farm Day brought nearly 30 women and children from local domestic violence and homeless shelters out to Windy Acres for a day of horseback riding, arts & crafts and delicious food. We are grateful to Mallard Ice Cream, Baskin-Robbins, Starbuck’s and Sundance Beef Company for their generous donations in support of this event. Our fall Family Farm Day is fast approaching, and new volunteers are invited to join us for this inspirational day of growth and change.

Horsin’ Around CampaignHorsin’ Around CampaignHorsin’ Around CampaignHorsin’ Around Campaign

It’s that time of year again! As people begin gearing up for the Northwest Washington Fair, ANT gears up for its annual advertising campaign. For $200, any individual or business can purchase a large plywood horse decorated to your specifications. The horses fill a field on Hannegan Road, and are spotted by everyone traveling to and from the popular fair. Horses are in the field for a minimum of three months, then come back to the farm, where they adorn the barns in the winter months. Call the office for more details.

Farm Friends ToursFarm Friends ToursFarm Friends ToursFarm Friends Tours From 4 to 5 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month, ANT holds a tour for anyone interested in learning more about the organization. The tour introduces attendees to the animals at the farm, as well as gives an overview of the programs ANT offers.

Kidz DayzKidz DayzKidz DayzKidz Dayz Do you have a child between the ages of three to eight who loves animals? Of so, then join us at Windy Acres from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 23, Sept. 30 or Oct. 14. Children will learn about animals and their behaviors, their likes, dislikes, fears and ways they play. Activities include arts & crafts, horse lessons and interactions with a farm full of animals. $25 per session.

Tahoma Chapter Backcountry Tahoma Chapter Backcountry Tahoma Chapter Backcountry Tahoma Chapter Backcountry Horsemen of WHorsemen of WHorsemen of WHorsemen of Washington ashington ashington ashington

16161616thththth Annual Prize Ride Annual Prize Ride Annual Prize Ride Annual Prize Ride Mark your calendar for the Sept. 9 ride which will benefit Animals as Natural Therapy and takes place in Ravensdale, near Cedar River. Details will be available online at www.animalsasnaturaltherapy.org. You can also go directly to www.tahomabcw.org or call Robbie at 206-372-9081.

Healing Hearts with HorsesHealing Hearts with HorsesHealing Hearts with HorsesHealing Hearts with Horses This year’s breakfast is scheduled for Oct. 21 and includes morning treats and inspirational stories of how Animals as Natural Therapy has changed the lives of so many. More details to come.

Have you by any chance visited Windy Acres Farm for our monthly Farm Friends Tour? Or, maybe you attended our “Healing Hearts with Horses” breakfast last September. Perhaps you volunteer on a regular basis, serve on the board, help with weekend events, participate in the annual Strategic Planning Weekend Retreat, or give of your time, energy and talent in countless other ways from informal program planning meetings to farm clean-up days. If you have, then you probably know Rob Costello. Rob has been a constant presence at Windy Acres over the past two years as a volunteer for the Wednesday Visions New Horizons sessions (at which he, along with his trusted canine companion, Jemmy, have made our bimonthly visits to a local extended care facility truly memorable), the weekly after-school youth sessions, and the Thursday night adult sessions. In addition, he has been the friendly face leading the Farm Friends Tours most months, has participated in strategic planning, is an articulate public speaker on ANT’s behalf, a mentor to our youth and a friend to fellow volunteers. All of us who have worked with Rob over the past two years have been touched by his spirit. His calm, gentle, quiet, loving, and compassionate presence has been particularly felt by the teenage girls in the Visions program, whom he has guided and mentored. To experience such a male role model - this kind of male energy - in their lives has been an invaluable gift for many of the girls. In fact, a few weeks ago, one of the Visions teens expressed it best. She said that Rob “always teaches me something new” and helps her “master a new skill or overcome a fear.” She explained that he always does this in a calm manner and “never barks orders at us or makes us feel criticized. He doesn’t tell me what I am doing wrong, he just steps in and seems to know what it is I need to know at the right time.” All of us at ANT offer Rob our heartfelt thanks for his generosity of spirit, time and talent over these past two

years. We hold him and his wife, Susan, in our hearts as they await the birth of their first child, and we share in their joy. A new baby and a new, full-time work schedule have made it impossible for Rob to continue his twice-a-week-plus physical presence on the farm, but the gifts he has given all of us will continue in our work with the animals and the youth we serve. Rob’s time with ANT has contributed to countless others’ well-being, and for this we are in his debt and deeply grateful.

- Lindsay Reid, volunteer

ANT’s plANT’s plANT’s plANT’s plan to advance its healing missionan to advance its healing missionan to advance its healing missionan to advance its healing mission

Our yearly strategic planning retreats have proven successful in making huge gains in infrastructure and capacity building. The retreats, attended by the board and key people in ANT, have facilitated the development of clear goals which we’d like to share: Funding-Goal: Stabilize and increase funding via the Raising More Money model, grant seeking and Combined Fund Drive. Program-Goal: Stabilize existing programs and position ANT to expand programming in 2007 by training more instructors, organizing materials, adding a part-time therapist, and investigating future partnerships. Facilities-Goal: Add a winterized meeting room; maintain facility. Communication-Goal: Keep information flowing regarding policies, programs, fundraising, and needs by retaining an Office Manager part-time and revising and devising communication systems. Human Resource System-Goal: Have volunteers feel well-supported and appreciated; a consistent office presence, a strong board and leadership. When we look over this 2006 plan made in February, we are truly amazed at the number of items we have already accomplished in 4 months! ANT implemented the Raising More Money model of sustainable funding last year; it has been used successfully by many non-profit organizations. A major aspect is developing multi-year donors the agency can rely on to provide a stable income. Planning from that place of financial strength, essential staff and more programming can be utilized to reach the greater number of persons seeking our services. Our Farm Friends Tours the third Wednesday of every month provide visitors a chance to experience the magic of animal-assisted healing at work as a group of teens working with their horses share what their horses are teaching them. In October, we’ll have our annual Healing Hearts with Horses breakfast where one hears testimonials of clients and gains a clearer picture of the organization, its mission, core values and activities. This event is open to anyone that may be interested in our work. Thank you for your continued support in so many areas!

-Sonja Wingard

Happy Trails, RobHappy Trails, RobHappy Trails, RobHappy Trails, Rob!!!!

Page 3 Tails from Windy Acres Summer 2006

Sucia Sucia Sucia Sucia ---- A Horse for all Seasons A Horse for all Seasons A Horse for all Seasons A Horse for all Seasons

I had wanted a horse of my own for my entire life. At age 33, we bought two “for the kids.” Then, at 35, it was this girl’s dream-come-true getting her own horse! We were living in New Mexico and I fell in love with a yearling Quarter Horse with just a little thoroughbred in her. This horse was to be my escape from the realities and burdens of everyday life. So I gave her the name “Sucia” after an island in the San Juans with no phones, cars, house to keep up, mail or any distractions…a place of peace away from the busy world of responsibilities and life’s stresses. This is just what Sucia and the horses have turned out to be both for me and now for hundreds who have come here to Windy Acres Farm…a presence of peace. Sucia is the mother of three of our herd: Sundance, Rusty, and Moonshadow. She is definitely the alpha mare and always on alert to keep her herd safe, having to stay at the entrance to the grooming barn to watch for danger and not liking to be tied because she cannot move her head quickly enough to see what is approaching. “Sucia has made a great impact on my life. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of myself; therefore, she has taught me a lot about myself. Some character traits the two of us share are assertiveness, empathy for others, patience, and we are both adaptive to, and watchful of, others. Also like me, Sucia likes to learn. It takes a while to build trust with her, though once we gained a good foundation, the hard work paid off immensely. Sucia showed me how both humans and horses ought to treat each other. We all need good manners, respect, clear communication, love, and the time and care to get our needs met. She taught me that all I have to do is be patient and ask nicely and I will get whatever I ask of her, within reason.”

- Andrea, a young woman in a recovery program, 2005

One of my favorite things about Sucia…sometimes Sucia will not move. A girl getting ready to leave the security of a local chemical dependency treatment facility (after 7 months there) was terrified to be released and go back home where all the temptations would be awaiting her. She had been riding Sucia for 3 months very successfully. Now Sucia would not move. The girl slid off Sucia’s back and wrapped her arms around Sucia and started crying. She started telling how Sucia was doing what she was feeling: she did not want to move, was afraid to go forward, afraid to go home. Sucia was just doing what horses do so well -- they mirror our feelings. They help us stop and feel our feelings that so often get covered up by the busyness, chemicals, whatever our addiction of choice is. That same week, a woman from a shelter for abused women was here on Sucia and again she would not move. I asked the woman if she was stuck in her life. After a funny look and only a moment of thought, she responded, “Oh yes!” I told her to think of one dream she had for herself and her children. To keep it firmly in her mind and ask Sucia to take her one step closer. After the women left, the volunteer working with the woman told me that Sucia had moved easily when the woman held the dream. When Sucia would stop, she asked the woman what she was thinking about and, of course, she was worrying about what is instead of dreaming of what could be in the future. As long as the woman kept sight of her dream, Sucia moved her forward wherever she wanted to go.

- Sonja Wingard

Page 4 Tails from Windy Acres Summer 2006

“They help us stop and feel our feelings that so

often get covered up by the busyness,

chemicals, whatever our addiction of choice is.”

Volunteer spotlight onVolunteer spotlight onVolunteer spotlight onVolunteer spotlight on………… Heidi MosbargerHeidi MosbargerHeidi MosbargerHeidi Mosbarger How did you first learn about Animals as Natural Therapy? I met Sonja at her granddaughter's birthday party. I asked her about her program, she ran out to her car to get me some information, and by the end of the party, I was a volunteer. I'm still not sure quite how that happened. What made you decide to volunteer with ANT? I had been looking for a place to volunteer, but I couldn't decide whether I wanted to work with teens or animals. At ANT, I do both! What tasks do you perform in your role as a volunteer? Girl helper, horse groomer, cheerleader, office-to-barn communicator, hot chocolate mixer, errand runner, poop scooper. What is the most rewarding part of volunteering at ANT? What keeps you coming back every week? The Visions New Horizons girls! Although I thought the idea of troubled girls working with horses was a nice concept, I wondered how much could actually be accomplished in just one or two months. I have been consistently astonished. Many of girls arrive with serious attitude, don't want to participate, are afraid of the horses. They leave the program responsible, articulate, respectful and armed with a whole lot of new insight to take with them out into the world. And while they're with us at the farm they get a chance, sometimes for the first time in their lives, to just be kids.

Do you have a special animal at ANT? What makes them special to you? I'm beginning to know and appreciate all the horses, but my buddy is Patriot (a Tennessee Walking Horse). The minute I saw him, I was in love. He was rescued from a very abusive situation, but despite the way he was treated, he's a true Southern gentleman. If you could give one piece of advice to those thinking of volunteering with ANT, what would it be? Have a really good sense of humor and a go-with-the-flow attitude.

Patriot, the Southern gentlemanPatriot, the Southern gentlemanPatriot, the Southern gentlemanPatriot, the Southern gentleman

Volunteer: I can provide the following: (Cut out to mail in) ___ animal care assistance ___ office assistance ___ program/mentoring assistance ___ fund raising ___ fundraising events assistance Donate: ___ $$ monthly pledge to sponsor an animal or a child ___ $10 one month supply of tractor fuel ___ $25 one youth farm session (group rate fee) ___ $75 one month feed and provision for a therapy horse ___ $125 five group sessions for an at-risk youth ___ $225 one week of unforgettable life-changing Day Camp ___ $300 Family Farm Day for women and children of local domestic violence and homeless shelters. Many of our kids and families we serve have limited financial resources. ANT’s fees for services cover only 30% of the costs of providing

therapeutic riding. This is the best ratio you find in the business, as facilities’ program fees cover as little as 10%.

Donate online: At www.networkforgood.org

Donate at your workplace: Through United Way/Combined Fund Drive Donate the old-fashioned way by sending a check to: (Contact the office to donate by credit card) Animals as Natural Therapy 721 Van Wyck Road; Bellingham, WA 98226 Purchase: Our dark, rich compost. Worms included! $20 for four bags; $25 for a pickup load. Contact Animals as Natural Therapy at: (360) 671-3509 for program information or volunteering.

Visit us online at www.AnimalsasNaturalTherapy.org.

How you can make a difference —

Page 5 Tails from Windy Acres Summer 2006

BaggageBaggageBaggageBaggage When you hear the word “baggage,” what comes to mind? Do you immediately think about those burly baggage handlers you see while sitting in the plane waiting for take-off, wishing they wouldn’t throw your bag like that because the vase you brought as a gift for Aunt Betsy just might not take it? Or do you think about the more ethereal kind, the kind we all carry inside whether we’d like to or not? I belong to the latter group. Perhaps it’s because I’ve carried my baggage for 35 years and know it inside out, yet I’m still trying to figure out the best way to handle it. Carrying our baggage is not a choice we can make; it’s just there, like the shape of our nose or the color of our eyes. Where our power lies is how to handle that baggage the best possible way, without breaking that beautiful vase inside. During all these years I’ve tried ignoring my baggage, running away from it, cutting it off, challenging it to a duel, drowning it. Nothing. The only thing affected by any of these attempts was my self -- my body, my ego, my spirit. The journey took me to three different continents, and finally it brought me to Bellingham. I still don’t know whether it was chance or guidance, and frankly I don’t care. I have found the place I can finally call “home,” and where I’ve been able to begin repairing the fragile papyrus of my spirit. And this realization came to me at Windy Acres. This happened during my second visit to the farm, an evening visit before a meeting. I was meandering outside, not wanting to go in…not yet. I didn’t really know anyone, and the voice of my inner critic was so loud, I thought everyone must hear it and -- worse yet -- agree with it. I walked over to see the horses, something I hadn’t done in a long time; my belly was tight and there was a block of ice inside. I stopped at the fence, looking at these magnificent animals who were looking at me standing there, feeling small and insignificant. I knew I had nothing to offer as I stood there, breathing in the smells I had left behind a long time ago.

The horses kept looking at me. Silver took a couple of steps towards me, then stopped, looking directly at me. Patriot shifted so he could better look at me, and even Mocha had turned his head and was looking at me. I felt their eyes on me. The air was very still; only the slight drizzle of rain was gently tapping on my face. I spread my arms. Tears had begun to slowly roll down my face, and I was in a space so clear and calm I can imagine how astronauts must feel when they are floating in space. There was no voice in my head, no tightness in my chest, and the ice block was dissolving. Silver came to me and breathed into my hand. I touched him and he nibbled at my coat. It was a welcome. I knew I was accepted the way I was right there and then, and that only made me cry harder – large, cleansing tears that welled up from the darkest corners of my self. I can’t remember the last time I had cried like that, or the last time I had felt so much at peace. That was the beginning. I’m still on the road, carrying my baggage, but I know I’m getting closer to where I’m supposed to be. I just needed to give myself permission. - Mirja Salminen, volunteer

Page 6 Tails from Windy Acres Summer 2006

Two Wolves - Cherokee Wisdom

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Toby the miniature horse with a COMPASS studentToby the miniature horse with a COMPASS studentToby the miniature horse with a COMPASS studentToby the miniature horse with a COMPASS student

Dear ANT friends, As a counselor and animal lover, I am always in search of deeper education, connection and understanding regarding the human psyche, animal behavior, and the human-animal bond. To deepen my insights and knowledge, I read copious amounts of material. I share the following excerpts with you which come from the book Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin PhD. In working so closely with animals, Ms. Grandin’s words have assisted me immensely in opening and expanding my own understanding of an animal’s world and that of the human world. I wanted to share her knowledge and her committed compassion with all of you; as I know that you share deeply in your love and care for “all creatures great and small….all things bright and beautiful.” Blessings to all of you,

Leola Adams, M.A. “The single worst thing you can do to an animal emotionally is to make it feel afraid. Fear is so bad for animals I think it’s worse than pain. I always get surprised looks when I say this. If you gave most people a choice between intense pain and intense fear, they’d probably pick fear. I think that’s because humans have a lot more power to control fear than animals do. …I believe that animals have a lower pain and higher fear than most people … you almost have to work with animals to see what a terrible emotion fear is for them. From the outside, fear seems much more punishing than pain. Even an animal who’s completely alone and giving full expression to severe pain acts less incapacitated than an animal who’s scared half out of his wits. Animals in terrible pain can still function; they can function so well they can act as if nothing is wrong. An animal in a state of panic can’t function at all. “…Prey animals like horses, deer, cows and rabbits spend a lot more time being scared than predators do … they are very nervous animals, because the only way a prey animal can survive in the wild is to run. Since a prey animal has to start running BEFORE the lion does, that means it has to be hyper-alert all the time, keeping a watch out for danger. “You have to be gentle working with prey animals. I’ve seen so many animals ruined by owners who traumatized them through rough or ignorant handling. The whole idea of breaking a horse is a perfect example. If you break a horse, he’s broken. He’ s traumatized for life and usually no use to anyone after that, including himself a lot of times … animals never unlearn a bad fear … traumatic fears in animals are always bad news; they last forever, and they can spread like crazy. “The wrong kind of handling with large prey animals like cows and horses can actually make them dangerous. You see this when owners use rough training to teach a cow or horse to accept a halter or a lead rope. They put a real strong halter and a six-foot lead on the animal, tie him up to a post, and let him fight it out with the post until he’s exhausted and gives up … instead of putting on the

halter and lead and letting the animal wear them around the corral to get used to the feeling … that animal will never be okay with a halter and lead, for the rest of its life. “Fear of the unknown is universal … if you think about it, animals are constantly confronting the unknown. For an animal who has never seen a man off a horse, a man walking on his own two legs is an alien. So, I think to get inside an animal’s head, to the extent that’s even possible, is to be constantly asking yourself, ‘How would I feel if what I were looking at right now was something I’d never laid eyes on before in my life?’ …we’re wired for survival, so when we confront the unknown, our survival brain gets activated and starts screaming at us, ‘What is it!? What is it!?’ And, ‘Is it dangerous?!’”

“I have been bringing children to the ANT farm for

many years. The joy that shows on their face when they arrive is priceless. I have seen kids that don’t normally follow rules, follow the ANT rules. I have seen kids that are so depressed, the only thing they look forward to is coming to ANT. One child was so taken by her horse that she only wanted a horse for Christmas. We compromised and

got her a stuffed horse, which she promptly named “Sucia,” the name of the horse she worked with. Whatever the issue the child struggles with are reflected back to them. Thank you for the valuable service that you provide the community!” --Erin, Catholic Community Services

Page 7 Tails from Windy Acres Summer 2006

COMPASS students enjoy an afternoon at the farm.COMPASS students enjoy an afternoon at the farm.COMPASS students enjoy an afternoon at the farm.COMPASS students enjoy an afternoon at the farm.

Animals as Natural TherapyAnimals as Natural TherapyAnimals as Natural TherapyAnimals as Natural Therapy invites you to the annual BLUEGRASS BASH and SALMON BARBLUEGRASS BASH and SALMON BARBLUEGRASS BASH and SALMON BARBLUEGRASS BASH and SALMON BAR----BBBB----QQQQ

- Burgers and Hot Dogs, Too -

Saturday July 15Saturday July 15Saturday July 15Saturday July 15thththth 5555----9 pm9 pm9 pm9 pm

At Windy Acres Farm, Bellingham

� CRITTER CORNER, GAMES, PRIZES � SILENT AUCTION � HORSE DEMONSTRATIONS � LIVE MUSIC BY FEED & SEED � CONTRA DANCE CALLER BY BELLINGHAM COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY � FREE PARKING AVAILABLE AT DONETTE STUDIO (4165 Hannegan Road) � COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLE BY JERRY CHAMBERS CHEVROLET $10 per person or $30 per family suggested donation For information and directions: 671-3509 or www.animalsasnaturaltherapy.org All proceeds benefit Animal as Natural Therapy Animals as Natural Therapy 721 Van Wyck Road Bellingham, WA 98226

�BLUEGRASS BASH� July 15 at Windy Acres Farm SEE BACK SIDE FOR DETAILS

PRINTING DONATED BY OFFICE DEPOT