Students are not the only ones learning around here!

Member of the Women With Children Program (WWC), Ronda Mooney, age 15, who is a child in the program, also participates in the Equine Facilitated Therapeutics (EFT) Program. Working with a horse named Malachai, and a group of students, Ronda is learning how to ride horses, while expanding her social skills.

The experience boosts her self-esteem and gives more purpose to her life. Ronda loves it!  Recently Ronda started using a saddle, and next week she will be using reins.

“Ronda is doing well. She is stunning us all,” says Kristin Sellers `14, her main student instructor.

Encouraging Ronda to gain more confidence, the student instructors even sing her favorite song, “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen to her.  Ronda has recently begun to sing with them!

“The girls are my friends,” said Ronda, with a big smile on her face.

“Besides the fact that Ronda absolutely loves riding Malachai, another amazing benefit of learning to ride horses is the

confidence she has gained.  She is becoming a social butterfly, opening up to her new EFT friends,” said Ronda’s mother Diane Lewis ’16.

The EFT program and its dedicated students are ensuring that Ronda’s experience at Wilson is both rewarding and productive.

For more information on the EFT program contact ann.oshallie@wilson.edu.