Spencer Smith started up the Double S Ranch in the Rexburg area, wanting to help people that are screaming for the understanding that the horses can give. With a bit of luck, Spencer meets Lori Manley and what a wonderful first date that was--bringing horses from Rexburg to Brigham City for a wonderful ride and first date. With a whirlwind romance and feeling the same passion for the need to help others, Spencer and Lori are in the process of buying a ranch in the Cache Valley area. In the meantime, Spencer and Lori have been going everywhere to get their message out about equine adaptive sessions. Equine adaptive sessions is a form of therapy that makes use of horses to help promote emotional growth. The horses provide an excellent way for troubled youth to react when they are otherwise therapy resistant. Okay, so this just for the troubled! No, it is not.
Spencer and Lori have spent many hours at fairs and Suicide Walks, which is where Holly Schultz met and decided to give this a try for her daughter. Holly shared just how and why she feels this is the most amazing program for her and her daughter.
Holly wrote, “I had the privilege of meeting some amazing people few months ago at our annual Suicide Awareness Walk. Spencer Smith & Lori Manley—when I found out what it was they do, I knew instantly I had to introduce myself. Spencer started and funds a ranch that involves equine therapy (horses) that is offered to those who are or have been bullied, to those struggling with depression, anxiety, autism, or domestic violence. I knew I had to introduce my daughter to them. If anyone that knows her knows how much she loves horses, they are her safe haven, her sanctuary, a place where she finds solace and comfort away from all her struggles. My daughter is autistic and struggles with several attributes associated with autism. Some days are good, some days are okay and some days are just complete havoc—severe melt downs, over stimulated days that leave us both exhausted. On top of her struggles, PTSD is one of them, she was too young to understand and process the loss of her sister MeQuel Jordan. These last 3 years have been a roller coaster of many emotions and some days I fear for her future. Over the past few months we have been doing equine therepy; and with much gratitude I can say I see a light at the end of the tunnel I had only thought would be a continued darkness for her. To see her smile again, to hear her laugh, to hear her say dreams really do come true touches my soul, tears of happiness to see her shine like she is meant to shine, to see hope in her eyes, that is a dream come true for me. This is better than any medication a doctor could prescribe. This is life a beautiful life, a life worth living, there is always hope, always a SUNNY SIDE.”
I talked extensively with Holly while her daughter and my grandson were riding and leading the horse for each other. She delved into her life and the loss of her daughter a few years ago.
Holly told me that she felt like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I asked Holly what does healing look like to you. She pointed at her daughter on the horse with a huge smile on her face and says that is what healing looks like. I looked out at her riding with my grandson running over for his turn. His turn. Where just a week ago he had to be lifted on the horse. As soon as the horse moved, he bailed off to grandpa. Well, we tried again. All’s good until the horse moves this time with Spencer on one side and Grandpa on the other walking with the horse and he’s crying, the horse walks 5 steps he lets go of grandpa and 5 more steps he stops crying. And in less than 200 feet he has the biggest smile on his face that hasn’t been seen for a while. And now this week, he’s running to the horse, doing the brushing, helping saddle the horse, and taking turns. What’s happening? The light switch turned on. School has improved, attitude has improved, and his overall being has improved. The meltdowns have almost ceased, he is on a routine and is talking so much better. Yes, I see what Holly is seeing—the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not the train coming this time, this is been an eye-opening experience for us. It’s worth every minute. Every minute of this has given us hope for this child to be successful in life.
Holly reminds me that we are now a part of this ranch, and we want to help others the way they have helped us. Holly looks lovingly at her daughter leading my grandson around and says, “I can't thank these people enough for showing us that dreams do come true—for showing genuine love and compassion. Thank you, Spencer and Lori and Double S Ranch!”
The next week we went out we had a few new riders. Both were teens, and we talked in between the turns they each took with leading and riding the horses. They talked about being bullied, wanting to quit school, the anger and aggressing they both had and the feeling of wanting to take their own life. Both said that their step-dad had asked them to just try it. They both went not really thinking this would help, but in just 5 minutes they both felt different, better, more like maybe the world wasn’t crashing it. Both Spencer and Lori have a way with the kids. Kids open up to Spencer and Lori so easily, and Spencer was able to break through with our grandson in just 10 minutes, with him telling things that had been happening, I’m like, WOW, it usually takes a lot for him to talk about anything bad. The same is happening with the others I talked with.
What a difference in a short while, but it doesn’t end there. Spencer and Lori texts and calls to check on the kids seeing how they are, and also with the parents. WE are part of the FAMILY!
