Horses Joe and Red, who are the two favourite horses at Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association meet several students ready to de-stress at Lethbridge campus on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Photo by Laura Castro.
Two horses healed the hearts of many college students during a high-stress exam week. The Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association brought their equine therapy program to Lethbridge College.
The Founders’ Square green space held students receiving that special human to animal contact from horses Joe and Red. This registered charitable organization operates with a handful of staff ready to spread their outreach program around the city.
Kale Hayes, executive director of the LTRA, says these horses were brought to the college in hopes of helping students through their mid-term season.
“I think there is something too just being around animals that big, getting endorphins up, making people feel good and it’s a positive distraction,” Hayes said.
The LTRA’s outreach program includes many volunteers who aid more than 350 student visits every year. Karmyn Burndred, a student at the college in the child and youth care program says this kind of event leaves a positive impact on students.
“This is a good way to de-stress and enjoy the college experience rather than stress about school and everything that’s going on. You can just take a minute and just enjoy what’s in front of you,” Burndred said.
The association has been in business for the past 47 years in Lethbridge. When the LTRA isn’t visiting students around Lethbridge, it is helping individuals with certain disabilities by connecting with their horses. The association provides hands-on instruction for children and adults with special needs to create a bond between them and the horse.
The LTRA says every riding session requires around 1,700 volunteer hours to stay operational. Hayes says the bounce back after the pandemic was not only beneficial for post-secondary students but also for the horses.
“It’s been kind of a staple around Lethbridge, we’re now growing back after COVID, so it’s kind of nice to get these guys out and meet some new friends,” Hayes said.
The horses allowed students a moment of relaxation by letting students pet, feed and connect with them. While the healing horses’ event was cut short due to the rain, the LTRA is said to return to the college in the spring to bring more equine therapy to students especially during stressful times in the semester.
