A fun time was had by all last Wednesday as Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii-Kona’s two miniature horses, Calypso and Peaches, visited with Full Life Hawaii participants and Life Care Center of Kona residents.
“See that smile? She’s so happy,” said Sharon, as her daughter interacted with the therapy horses during a special event for Full Life Hawaii participants at Alii Gardens Marketplace in Kailua-Kona. “We moved here from California and we’re really happy to see they had programs here. (My daughter is) motivated by people and interactions.”
Calypso and Peaches, a gelding and mare, respectively, who each weigh in at 230 pounds and enjoy a diet of oat cubes and pellets, are the most recognized of the Big Island equine therapy crew at Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii, an Oahu nonprofit that operates a Kona program spearheaded by Nancy Bloomfield, a registered physical therapist.
The therapy horses not only provide emotional support for participants with disabilities, but also help participants and their families connect with other members of the community.
“Horses are very sentient,” she explained. “They can sense people’s fear. They can sense tensions, relaxation.”
That’s what makes the horses perfect for events like the one that took pace last Wednesday at Alii Gardens Marketplace with participants of Full Life Hawaii, a nonprofit organization that aids people with developmental disabilities to empower them to live a self-determined life.
About 80 participants attend Full Life’s various programs around the island.
According to the father of one participant, Full Life Hawaii has been a lifeline for his daughter who was among the handful of participants who got the special opportunity Wednesday to walk, feed and brush the miniature therapy horses.
“Without the program she’d sit at home on her iPad,” he said. “But she’s met so many people, and one employee at Full Life took her to the hairdresser. So it’s like this interconnected web that helps (my daughter) create this whole web. That’s how she thrives.”
Next, the miniatures horses were loaded back into their minivan for a quick jaunt down Alii Drive to Life Care Center of Kona, a skilled nursing, rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s and senior living campuses in Keauhou. Peaches and Calypso have been visiting the center since they arrived on island a decade ago.
“I love these guys. I get as exited as the residents,” said Patricia Hedke, activity director. “They’ve taught me to be comfortable enough I can walk Peaches myself. They are the nicest horses.”
Life Care provides around the clock care for residents, including, nursing care, medical management, specialized therapy, and more. They also provide rehabilitation for their patients, who are finally able to welcome visitors after a long and strenuous COVID-19 quarantine.
For patients at Life Care, the miniature horses provide joy, relief and relaxation.
“This event is so relaxing,” said Amy, a resident at the nursing home who got her first interaction Wednesday with Peaches and Calypso.“I love petting the horses. They’re so beautiful and I’m glad that they’re here.”
Jeff, another resident, agreed.
”I like petting the horses. I used to live on a ranch here,” he reminisced.