Hospice horses help ease the pain

The novel and film, The Horse Whisperer, focused on a talented horse trainer with a gift for communicating with the animals. At a Chilliwack stable this past weekend, hospice groups were working on the same principle with their first-ever Horse Whisperer Grief Camp.

Organized by Chilliwack Hospice and Langley Hospice, in conjunction with Val Jackson and Wayne Pelletier of White Dove Stables, the camp offered 30 kids the chance to communicate with these animals as part of their grieving process. Chilliwack Hospice executive director Geri McGrath said that while there are other horse camps for kids, a horse grief camp for kids in this country is a new thing.

“This is a first for hospice in Canada,” she said. She, herself, boards a horse at the stables and understands the power of a relationship with these animals.

“They’re just so intuitive,” she said. Jackson said they have had other therapy programs come through White Doves but is pleased the horses can help kids who need to work through some tough emotions.

“I know how much kids love horses,” she said. For Jackson, being with the horses sometimes feels like being in a dream and she knows that spending time with an animal can create special a bond for people, especially ones facing difficult circumstances. Read Article

By Mike Chouinard