[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s someone who has worked around horses for many years, Julie Froidcoeur has seen how therapeutic the animals can be for people.
Through RED Arena, a Dripping Springs-based 501-C 3 nonprofit organization, a type of horse-based therapy, or hippotherapy, can now help those who aim to boost their reading confidence.
RED-y To Read is an Equine Facilitated Learning program that began roughly three weeks ago at the organization’s 20-acre facility on Bell Springs Road in Dripping Springs.
Froidcoeur said a recent foundation grant allows residents participate in RED-y To Read for free.
The program, which is open to all ages, allows individuals to openly read aloud to one of nine full-sized horses or two miniature horses that are a part of the program.
One of the primary benefits for readers is the ability to build confidence in their abilities without the prospect of being criticized or corrected.
Parents who try to correct younger readers can sometimes discourage them, Froidcoeur said. She added the horses don’t criticize, correct or judge, but just listen.
Karen Bailey, RED Arena farm manager and volunteer coordinator, said when the idea of the reading program sprouted, the first goal was to share the arena’s resources with others.
RED Arena, which was founded in 2008, serves approximately 110 to 130 people per week who hail from all parts of Central Texas, including Kyle, Buda, Wimberley and Dripping Springs. The facility is a therapeutic riding center that offers hippotherapy to those with learning needs and those with a physical disability.
“Most importantly, we wanted to empower those kids and adults who perhaps don’t feel comfortable reading in front of a group ... they can read in front of a horse.” Karen Bailey, RED Arena farm manager and volunteer coordinator
Participants in the program range in age from four- to 21-years-old. Froidcoeur said the focus is to have the program open to all reading abilities.
The program encourages readers to bring their own books that are at their own reading level. The facility also has books for them to read as well.
“There’s older students and young adults who are having reading trouble as well,” Froidcoeur said. “It’s not just for kids.”
Participants who engage in the RED-y To Read program are allowed to read to the animal for an hour. Certified horse trainers observe the animal during the session to ensure the comfort and safety of all.
Many who read to the horses are excited at the opportunity to do so, Froidcoeur said. Children who may not be excited about reading are interested in reading to the animal.
“They are motivated to read to the horse,” Froidcoeur said. “Most kids love horses. They get excited about reading to them.”
The idea to bring the program to RED Arena began after Froidcoeur learned of other successful reading-to-animal programs.
She said that, in the past, programs offered the chance for readers to improve their skills by reading to dogs, such as the “Read to Chopper” program held weekly at the Wimberley Village Library.
RED Arena began a pilot program in January to see if it could get off the ground. Soon thereafter, the popularity of the program “exploded,” Froidcoeur said.
“The kids that have come so far have loved it. Folks that are invited or give it a chance are thrilled with the opportunity,” Bailey said. “The parents are receptive to it and the kids are thrilled.”
The chance to potentially grow the program is also there, both Froidcoeur and Bailey said.
While RED Arena is not looking for horses now, the opportunity to add more to the reading program could be an idea for the future.
RED Arena is also in the midst of a capital campaign. The growth plan could include looking for a larger plot of land to house a bigger facility with a covered area.
The growth could also extend to expanding RED Arena’s program to help injured and disabled veterans.
“Our program is so multi-faceted that it offers so much,” Bailey said. “The riders, volunteers, parents and staff agree it’s a special type of place. Peaceful and enriching, even for parents.”
Why read to animals?
According to studies by researchers at Tufts University, reading out loud to animals can benefit readers in various ways.
- Pets can be considered a general source of support
- Human-animal interaction can make the learning process more comfortable and enjoyable for children
- Autistic children who were put in contact with an animal demonstrated increased use of language skills and had improved social interactions while with the animal
- Children showed sustained focus and maintained a higher state of awareness, as well as improved attitudes toward school
- Animals can be a non-evaluative presence that can provide support and comfort to participants without judging them, allowing readers to risk sounding out new words and phrases
- Children who who read to animals improved their reading skills quicker compared with those who read to human volunteers
