WEBVTT

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>> I do feel like

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there's a different
connection with a horse

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than with any other animal,

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only because you have to trust
a thousand pounds of animal

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to keep you safe.

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What I love about
riding a horse

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is the freedom that you get,

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and also the connection you
can have with a horse,

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I think, is a little different
than you might get with another animal,

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because you have to
learn to trust them

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and they have to
learn to trust you.

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And it's also really rewarding

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when you do get that
connection with a horse.

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I got involved in therapeutic riding
when I was young in 4H,

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and we needed to do community service.

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So I picked therapeutic riding
as my community service,

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and I've loved it ever since.

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I really enjoy volunteering,

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because it gives you
a great sense of reward,

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not only for the child
that benefits from it,

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but from yourself that you have
a feeling of involvement

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and a connection with the child.

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And it's just really
self-satisfying

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to do something
for somebody else.

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You ready?

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Okay. Well, come over here.

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Do you want me
to hold your hand?

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You're doing good!
Is school out?

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You done with school?

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>> Four teachers in my class.

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>> Four?

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That's a lot.

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You're a good girl.

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One of my fondest memories
through volunteering

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for the therapeutic
riding programs

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was a young man that was high on
the end of the autism spectrum.

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He had a hard time walking;
he did not speak,

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and he didn't show
any facial expressions.

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So once we got him on the horse,
he looked at me and he smiled.

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And I thought that was
a really rewarding moment for me.

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Therapeutic riding serves adults
and children alike.

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They range from having autism,
cerebral palsy,

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MS -- it's pretty much
all-encompassing.

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They can feel the horse
underneath them.

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If you have an issue
that is muscular,

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the horseback riding
builds that muscle again.

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Whoa, good job!

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Way to use both hands!

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And helps the rider
to walk or gain strength.

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And also, with children
and adults

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that have mental issues or autism,

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through the horseback riding program,

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it really helps them
come out of their shell

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and learn verbal skills

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through the side walkers
and the leader.

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And it also helps the child

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become more comfortable
in social settings.

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I grew up riding, so I feel like
I'll be riding my entire life.

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And to ride for the Border Patrol,
I find it as a huge blessing.

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And I feel like after I retire,

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I'll just keep on riding.