Harnessing H.O.P.E.        
Written by By MARY ANN WASSERMAN
Sentinel Staff Writer     
Monday, 07 July 2008  








Horses teamed with children, as well as the youngsters’ parents, in a communication exercise at the Bowling Green Project H.O.P.E. Spring Fun Show recently at Sandra Tebbe’s horse farm at 16195 W. Poe Road.
“It is really fun riding because once I kind of talked to them (horses) and they listen to me,” Nicole Kirkpatrick, Perrysburg, one of the show participants, said. “I am more loving and caring. I used to be really rough.” She has been in the therapeutic program for nine months at Project Horses Opening People’s Eyes (H.O.P.E). In addition to being more loving, by her own admission, the youngster also made friends in the program.
She and others are part of a client base of Sandra Tebbe, licensed professional clinical counselor. The Bowling Green professional founded the organization after noticing that several children she was working with would talk openly about their problems to Tebbe’s horses.
There are different phases of the program. There is the dismounted activity where children literally build obstacles representing the different problems they have in their lives. Once the physical obstacle is built, they talk about problem solving and how to get through their issues. A second phase of the plan is a non-riding component: A child will ask to do things they do not know how to do without having to be pressured from the community.
“The program started four years ago, and has children who have different emotional issues including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral problems where their sitting in a traditional office setting does not necessarily work for them,” Tebbe said.
In addition to competition-sanctioned classes, Tebbe adds a Parent-Child Obstacle Course to her roster of events. As a final class of the afternoon, the parent is blindfolded and leads a horse within an enclosed arena. The child, who is not blindfolded, is on the horse and offers the parent suggestions as to which direction to proceed. The person giving directions can only say “right” or “left” or “little step” or “big step.” The parent and child are allowed to switch positions as a means of wrapping up communication.
Shelby Mullens, Oregon, is another participant in the H.O.P.E. program.
“It (program) helps me a lot in my anger issues and stuff,” Mullens said. “I can help the horse and they can help me.”
Mothers Jamie Kirkpatrick, Perrysburg, and Karin Goldsmith, Oregon, agree with their children.
“It is an excellent program,” Kirkpatrick said. “I can pretty much schedule visits anytime.”
Goldsmith focused on the improved communication aspects.
“We learned a lot with communication with the horses and it helps with communication at home as well,” she said.
Allen Tebbe is the horse handler while his wife counsels. He observed that the children have learned more about the behavior of horses and in a sense can apply that knowledge to their situation.
“Because every horse is unique and these horses are therapy to the individuals,” he said.
Throughout Saturday’s show, judge Char Lusk of Memory Lane Farm consulted with riders as to their skills and guided them with positive directions. There were no placings as first, second, third, fourth, reserve champion, or best of show.
“The ribbons read, ‘With God everyone is a winner,’” Sandra Tebbe said. “I wanted to have the show because the children have worked hard all year, and I wanted them to be able to hear what great kids they are and how much progress they have made.”
About 65 relatives of youngsters attended the event.
Tebbe works for two private practices: Key Life Directions, Rossford, and Pathways Christian Counseling, Findlay.
Sandra Tebbe can be contacted (419) 469-0415.





Nicole Kirkpatrick, 11, of Perrysburg rides a horse at the farm of Sandra Tebbe on West Poe Road just outside of 
Bowling Green (Photos: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

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