Dinner and Auction to Benefit Horse Therapy Program

A woman in Otis has made it her life's work to help children with special needs learn life skills.

She's starting a new therapy program using horses. And folks in the community are rallying to help her.

Jennifer Cammack is on a mission. By her side, are Maggie the quarter horse, and Melinda, a rare hypo-allergenic breed.

These horses, important teachers, as Cammack works to help children with autism and special needs.

"I think that horses are some of the most intuitive creatures among us, and really help children decrease anxiety and develop the connection really necessary for their brain and their body to work together in order to learn."

Cammack is an occupational therapist, who for the past ten years, has been developing the idea for Springy Pond Farm in Otis.

It's a place where children can come to learn and practice life skills, as well as academic skills, like reading, in the Ride to Read program.

"Many of the building blocks for reading can be done without actually using a book. So we have plans to set up the round pen and incorporate a lot of phonetic awareness, where kids can learn their letters and their sounds, or building a vocabulary using sight words that are necessary for reading."

The program got non-profit status last year. So far, it's an all volunteer effort.

They're now raising funds to finish the barn. There are also plans for a riding ring. And later, classrooms and a greenhouse.

Cammack says her work in public schools inspired her to help students who otherwise might slip through the cracks.

"What I see in school that kids are struggling with is the ability to sort of calm, and focus, and get their bodies organized in order to pay attention in a classroom setting, and I think this might be a setting that will help them just develop that skill."

She says support from the community has been wonderful. They hope to have the program up and running this summer.

Friends and supporters of Springy Pond Farm are holding a fundraiser to help.

It's Friday, Feb. 12th at the Peakes Hill Lodge in Dedham.

It costs $20, or $35 for a couple, and starts with a dinner and silent auction from five to eight. There's a live auction starting at eight, and then dancing and other fun that will last until midnight.

They hope to raise $10,000 for the program.