The Cougar Times

The Garrison Union Free School
1100 Route 9D
Garrison, New York 10524
(845) 424-3689

Editors
Olivia
John

Adviser
Mrs. Rowe

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Horses Help Kids

By Julie

Last year for guidance class, I volunteered for a program called SPARC.

In the SPARC program, children with disabilities can ride horses and get a 30-60 minute lesson where they are lead around by helpers and have side walkers for support. The program is often used for physical therapy because when you ride a horse you strengthen your balance.

SPARC runs year-round at different barns all around the country but is most popular in the spring and fall when the weather is most favorable. The program relies on volunteers to donate their time and expertise with horses. Volunteers teach the lesson, tack the horses, feed the horses, groom the horses, help the children attending the program mount the horse, watch the children who aren't riding at that time, lead the horse around, clear the riding area of anything that could scare the horses, clear the waiting area of hazards to the children, and more.

The instructor of the group has the children do other activities that will also help them make progress in their therapy, such as holding onto cups and having a walking race on the horse to see who can cross the finish line first while holding the cup. The children are challenged while riding but being on the horse makes their therapy more fun.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

What's on your holiday wishlist?



Compiled by Chloe and Lianna

"A hammock for my room." -Graydon, grade 8

"A remote-controlled, red firetruck with a hose that squirts water." -Casey, grade 8

"Clothes, books and facial cleansers." -Kady, grade 8

"A new dog." -Sarah, grade 8

"A giant microbe." -Russell, grade 7

"An art set." -Isabella, grade 3

"A new digital camera." -Sophia, grade 3

"A Nintendo DS!" -Hudson, grade 3

"A Nintendo DS and a new Obi Wan Kenobi costume." -William, grade 1

"A Nintendo DS and a Wii." -Anna, grade 1

"A new iPod." -Kailyn, grade 1"A Gameboy, a scooter-horse, and a computer screen with a dog and a horse. -Athena, grade 1

"A Polly Pocket." -Ruby, grade 1

"A Nerf longshot blaster." -Hayden, grade 1

"My own Barbie house." -Madison, grade 1

"A baby doll." -Solana, grade 1

"A remote-controlled car." -Benjamin, kindergarten

"A cat that has a holly dress and holly in its ears." -Emma, kindergarten

"A dog that rolls and over and is named Tumbles." -Fallon, kindergarten

"My own new sunglasses." -Luke, kindergarten

"Sunglasses too." -Autumn, kindergarten