Lauren,
There’s no right way to grieve; so there’s no one right way to provide grief support. Based on this principle, we’ve long used a variety of activities - art, music, writing, hiking, & mindfulness just to name a few - to help children find creative approaches that are best-suited for their unique experiences. And in the last few years, with soothing visits at Shannon’s Hope Camp from Pearl & Nugget - two adorable pet therapy dogs - we’ve seen first-hand how much joy & comfort that animals offer children who are grieving. Encounters with animals have been proven to reduce stress, counteract feelings of isolation, and even stimulate the release of oxytocin sometimes known as the “trust” or “bonding” hormone.
With these benefits in mind, we are delighted to share that we recently launched Hope, Hooves, & Healing in partnership with Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding to offer supportive encounters with horses. I hope you’ll read below to learn more about this innovative approach for helping children & teens to heal & grow. Thanks for being part of our team!
Gratefully,
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