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Horse therapy comes to the Fountains

Horse therapy comes to the Fountains
From left, Gerda Thuell reaches out to Baku, a six-month old miniature horse that came to visit at The Fountains on Thursday, Dec. 8. Equine therapist Kelly Lattin and resident Jenifer Thuell look on. photo by Judith O’hara Balfe
Photo by Judith O’hara Balfe

MILLBROOK — Dogs are probably the most common therapy animals; both cats and dogs are most likely the most popular house pets.

But if you ask the residents of the Fountains, there’s a good chance that they will say their favorites are the horses that visit them once a month.

Yes, Baku and Bug are very popular with them and it’s no wonder, because the miniature horses are friendly, mostly quiet, and unique when visiting in the living room at the Inn, or in the gardens outside when the weather is nice

Kelly Lattin is the volunteer who brings both Baku, 6 months old, and Bug, 5 months old, for the much anticipated visits.

Lattin is a U.S. Army veteran, having served from 1990-98. Originally from this area — growing up, in fact, in Morse Mills — Lattin has always been fond of horses and she has four horses besides Bug and Baku, some of which are rescues. She has a Thoroughbred named Jurney, and her family also includes a quarter horse called Kivi, and Felix, a Tennessee Walker.

The miniatures live with her at home and the others live on a farm that she leases, all in Pleasant Valley.

Volunteering at the Fountains came about after an unexpected encounter with an old acquaintance.

Lattin at one time taught horseback riding. Out for a stroll near the Fountains with one of the big horses, a person in a passing car, whose child she had taught, recognized her. That woman had a mother who lives at the Fountains, and she had Lattin get in touch with nursing director Linda Lomangino and Lisa Rieckermann, community life director. And soon, the equine therapy program began.

It started in the summer when Lattin brought Kivi and Jurney to spend some outdoor time with residents. Said Rieckermann: “These beautiful, gentle horses brought a lot of joy to our residents. They learned about the horses, were able to touch them, feel their breath, and admire their beauty.”

One resident told her it was the best day of her life. From there, Lattin began bringing the horses once a month, and they all look forward now to those visits.

“I’m a disabled veteran,” said Lattin, “and when I was first taken out of the workforce. I did two different equine therapy programs. I always feel better around horses. They help us release positive endorphins; slow our heart rate; and alleviate depression, anxiety and loneliness.”

When the colder weather came in, Lattin began bringing the miniature horses, Baku and Bug, because they can go indoors.

On a recent morning, Baku and Lattin spent two hours in the living room at the Inn at the Fountains with several of the residents. On his leash, Baku meandered to each of them, and he seemed to enjoy their company as much as they did his. At the end of the visit, he and Lattin took the elevator upstairs to visit one of the residents at home. Bug stayed home for that visit, but he’ll be back.

Bug has a special bond with resident Gerda Bruder.

The little horses travel with Lattin in the back seat of her pickup truck. It takes patience, but, says Lattin, “I believe strongly in volunteering my time and my horses to those who can benefit from and appreciate them.”

Lattin does other volunteering but limits the efforts, because even horses, big and little, need downtime. She makes sure they’re never tired or stressed, which can happen because horses are very sensitive to people’s emotions and feelings. But she looks forward to her visits to the residents at the Fountains. During the winter, Bug and Baku will enjoy their trips indoors with carpeting fireplaces, but come summer, when all is green and lush around the 200 acres of the Fountains, the big horses will have their days in the sun to visit the eager residents.

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