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Juliette Thompson has many years of experience in animal therapy for adults, children and the elderly. She began developing Alegria Treatment Centers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in 2009. Located on 40 acres in Bush, Alegria is a full-service animal-assisted therapy center with more than 60 animals. Thompson is a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and a Certified Special Olympics Equestrian Instructor. She has completed rigorous training and education to work in a disability treatment setting and adheres to high standards of safety and instruction.
Thompson is also certified in Miniature Horse Therapy Activities, CPR, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid and is a certified pet therapist. She is a member of the Miniature Horse Association, the Certified Riding Association, the American Painted Horse Association, and the Louisiana Horse Council.
Tell us about Alegria’s mission.
Alegria means joy in Spanish and that is what we try to provide through our animal assisted therapy activities. In fact, our mission is to improve the quality of life for seniors, adults and children with special needs.
We focus on physical, mental, educational and social skills – everything we do is customized for our participants, even in group settings.
Our number one priority is safety. It’s a very safe environment, both physically and emotionally.
Did you have a horse as a child?
I had a horse growing up, and my home life was a bit of a challenge, if you will – my horse has had a huge impact on my life. It develops confidence and love. My lifelong dream is to own a ranch and use animals to help people. I personally feel its effects.
I am certified by PATH International, which is the gold standard. It has been around for almost 50 years. It teaches you how to understand disability and then how to use it in a riding environment.
What’s your horse’s name?
She is an Appaloosa named Glory. I have a picture of her when she was 12 years old on my fridge.
What courses does Alegria offer?
I have people who are in wheelchairs or who for some reason don’t want or have the ability to ride a horse, so I have miniature horses, miniature donkeys, chickens, sheep, cats and dogs, all the animals I use in session. We have on-site and off-site programs. Each activity has an impact at different levels. I take private non-riding lessons, group non-riding lessons and group rides.
Horseback riding is more than just learning how to ride a horse properly. During a typical installation session we run into various hurdles that I change every few weeks. For example, I have an obstacle called Beyoncé, because you have to put a ring on it – they have to put the horse on it, I have a 4 inch ring, they have to ride the horse, stop the horse and put the ring on it. Then I have a miniature horse we call Tiffany, like Tiffany’s, for people who don’t ride horses, but are working on core strength, core strength, balance, hand-eye coordination, verbal and non-verbal cues to your horse .
I have a group from the Covington ARC every Thursday and we will be doing educational farm activities. For example, we will play farm bingo. We talk about the different animals on the ranch, how they are used, what makes a rooster different from a chicken, that sort of thing. Another part of the meeting will be the actual animal participation session. We did pin your name on the horse last week.
Then we have Minis to Me, which is a mobile therapy program. My miniature horses have actually been trained to ride elevators, they can go up and down stairs and other things. In this program we bring minis to anyone – I’ve been to schools, retirement homes and given private lessons. I will go wherever there is a need. As long as I can park the horse trailer.
I’m also a Special Olympics Equestrian Center, so I have a Special Olympics team out of state for Special Olympics. We’ve just been invited — we’re the only people in the state representing Louisiana at the National Games.
How do these programs affect those involved?
I have a particular rider who is nonverbal. She started at 4 years old and now talks and rides independently. This affected her family life. “I can’t believe she’s up and getting dressed now. It’s about the horses,” her mother said. It was like a light switch had gone off on her.
I took the miniature horse to the dementia ward, and there was a woman in a wheelchair, eyes closed, totally tense. I lifted the pony up and she was kind of slumped in the chair, I took her hand and put it on the horse. We stroked the horse and she opened her eyes and smiled. Staff said it was the first time she had done so in the entire time they had been there.
For the volunteers, it affects them as much as it affects the participants – seeing progress, small steps and big steps.
It has been very influential to many different people on many levels. I don’t attribute it to me, animals are vehicles.
How can community members help?
There are many different opportunities, but you know 99.999% of people don’t want to clean up horse manure, and that’s okay. No experience necessary and very easy training. Someone can take group classes, go to a nursing home, etc.
Alegria volunteers can assist, lead, or serve as sidewalks during classes. Community members also work as groomers, barn helpers, and event helpers.To learn more about Alegria or to volunteer with Alegria, visit alegriatherapeuticcenter.com.
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