Co-led by 3 professionals:

• Julia Gerhard, CCC-SLP, DMA (Speech Therapist)

• Sally Ann Cheyne, PATH, Intl ESMHL (Equine Assisted Learning Specialist)

• Karah Hammontree, Mental Health Specialist

• WHO:

  • Students age 7 - 18

  • Sibling group available which meets concurrently

  • Parents are encouraged to join other parents while their children meet to form parent connections

• WHEN:

  • Meets weekly throughout the school year

  • 2023-2024 school year:

    • Wednesday mornings (homeschool boys)

    • Friday evenings (teenage girls age 13+)

• WHERE:

  • Cheyne Ranch, in Oviedo, FL

• WHAT:

  • 2-3 hours at the farm in a small group peer learning environment

  • Learning curriculum includes:

    • horse & animal care (unmounted)

    • horse riding (mounted)

    • confidence building

    • developing a growth mindset

    • interpersonal skills & social-emotional learning

    • improved body awareness through stretching

How can my child benefit from improved communication and social skills?

The right set of social skills will make it easier for a child to make friends, share with their classmates, and cooperate in social environments. Well-developed social skills also lead to improved cognitive abilities and better mental health.

There is evidence-based research showing how social skills groups have a positive impact on children, including (but not limited to) children with autism.  Developing social interaction and understanding in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a groupwork intervention - PubMed (nih.gov).

Come join the fun!

**participants must be able to independently and safely follow directions within a group setting for the safety of the participants and animals.