LOWELL — Fifty-eight kids from the City of Lowell were able to get to know and to ride horses as part of a horsemanship program at Strongwater Farm in Tewksbury thanks to Lowell Police and funding from the Office of Grants and Research’s Shannon Community Safety Initiative.
The riding program at Strongwater Farm — Therapeutic Equestrian Center seeks to help participants be present in the moment. The horse-human bond established through mounted and ground based activities facilitates personal responsibility and growth, and helps participants build connections between the natural environment, their community supports, their peers, and themselves.
The program was offered to youth ages 10 to 16, from July 14 to Aug. 8 at Strongwater Farm – Therapeutic Equestrian Center, which worked in collaboration with Lowell Police. Funding was provided by the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, which seeks to support at-risk youth across the Commonwealth. Strongwater Farm also utilized funds from the DCU for Kids program.
The program included eight groups of youths, each of whom participated in a weeklong course.
The goal of the riding program is to help youth build relationships with police officers, while also helping the students gain self-confidence. Youth and police officers learn to work with horses slowly, initially learning to bond with and groom the horses, building confidence in interacting with them. Leading and eventually riding the horses comes later in the program, which builds teamwork and gratitude for the assistance along the way. In addition to the hands-on horse skills, all the youth and officers learned about equine related nutrition, fitness, and care which translate into personal care outside of the program setting.
Lowell Public Schools provided breakfast for the morning program and lunch for the afternoon program. A college intern and teacher who helped work with the children, as well as transportation, was paid for with funding from the Shannon Community Safety Initiative.
Lowell Police Officers who staffed the program include Officers Emmanuel Antonetty, Knud-Henry “Kiki” Louis, Dominic Lessieur, and Emaly Bouasri. Lowell Police Cadets Kaiden Nobrega and Baylee Teal also assisted.
The program is one of several initiatives organized by Lowell Police Youth Services, which seeks to create opportunities for all city youth. LPYS oversees after-school activities, athletics, and other ventures that emphasize health and wellness.
“Thanks to the terrific staff at Strongwater Farm and our officers and teachers from Lowell, this program is a really great experience for all of the kids who participate,” said Superintendent Hudon. “We’re grateful for funding from the Shannon Community Safety Initiative that enables us to build relationships and trust with city youth. These are experiences these kids and officers will never forget.”
“The energy and engagement that these kids bring to the farm fuels me and the team with such positive energy,” said Lead Instructor Cailey Archer. “As much as we intend to bring joy to them, they give it right back! My intention for all involved is that we continue to pay it forward.”
“Equine therapy is a wonderful, unique, and proven way for our students with diverse needs to reduce stress and regulate emotions, as well as improve motor skills, muscle tone, and coordination, while also having fun,” said Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner. “We are exceptionally grateful to Strongwater Farm and our partners at the Lowell Police Department for making this opportunity available for our community; it is not every day that a city kid gets to spend time with a horse and we truly appreciate this impactful program.”
“Collaboration is key to the success of the Shannon Community Safety Initiative,” said Office of Grants and Research Executive Director Kevin Stanton. “Lowell Police and each of the city’s Shannon program partners are doing outstanding work to support young people in the community. We’re grateful for all that they do to support the program’s mission.”
To learn more about the Shannon Community Safety Initiative, visit https://shannoncsi.com/.
To learn more about Strongwater Farm, visit https://strongwaterfarm.org/.