Equine therapy program on Long Island helps children cope with loss through horses
OLD WESTBURY, Long Island (WABC) -- Children coping with the illness or loss of a parent or sibling have found comfort and confidence through equine therapy at HorseAbility, where the SUNY Old Westbury campus serves as a setting for therapeutic interactions with horses.
For Gabby Garcia, a camper with SIBSPlace whose father recently died, the experience carried a personal connection.
"Carlos! And that was my dad's name," Garcia said while riding one of the horses.
The visit to HorseAbility provided a welcome distraction and emotional support, she said.
"This actually took me away... and I feel like it helped make me feel better, because I was sad and now, I'm happy," Garcia said.
HorseAbility Program Director Alicia Levy said working with horses can help participants feel calm and accepted.
"Being with a horse allows them to feel at peace. There is no judgment here," Levy said.
The campers are part of SIBSPlace, a Rockville Centre-based nonprofit whose name stands for "Survivorship in Brothers and Sisters."
Many of the children are dealing with serious illness in their families or grieving loved ones lost to illness.
Luke Foster, a SIBSPlace camper, spoke about the deaths of his siblings.
"The death of my brother and my sister..." Foster said.
Asked whether he had lost both, Foster replied: "Um hm. Yes. They both had a rare disease."
Some campers are very young. Joe Sgroi, 7, lost his father and said one of his favorite parts of horseback riding was the feeling of being elevated.
"What did you like about horseback riding?" he was asked.
"That I can be really tall," Sgroi said in response.
For 11-year-old Kathleen Carney, the program provides a sense of understanding from others facing similar experiences.
"My dad was like really young when he died. So, it's very nice to have people understand what I feel," Carney said.
The equine therapy sessions are just one part of the broader SIBSPlace program, which operates year-round in Rockville Centre. Children can attend weekly afterschool sessions that include snacks and homework help, while parents also receive support.
Program staff said the activities at HorseAbility, including feeding, leading, grooming and riding horses, help participants build confidence while offering a break from everyday challenges.
"I think a lot of them like the confidence that they've been able to build here, and that they feel relaxed," said Courtney Riiska, a SIBS assistance coordinator.
For the children taking part, the experience offers an opportunity to focus on something beyond grief and illness, if only for a moment, and simply enjoy the ride.
You can find more information on SIBSPlace and HorseAbility.
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