Therapeutic horsemanship program proposed

Students in the Grand Coulee Dam District will soon be able to participate in a therapeutic horsemanship program.

The idea was presented to the school board Monday night by Heather Downs, and it received support from the board.

Downs explained that a small group of people here are cooperating with the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office in regard to abused and neglected horses.

Currently the group has three horses, housed at the Chris Holman residence in Delano.

It was proposed that working with the horses would be a good experience for special needs students and others within the school district.

Students would learn about animals, their care and support, and teach the horses to regain their trust in humans.

“It will be a slow process until we learn how we can best do this,” Superintendent Dennis Carlson said.

This partnership with the schools might also open up community service opportunities for those who are trying to get in their service hours for graduation, Carlson noted.