AAMC Reporter: April 2009

Nothing in Jeopardy About Resident’s Game Show Appearance

After something tragic happens, perhaps the best way to heal is to spend time with someone else who's walked in your shoes. Or hooves, as the case may be.

Going on that theory, Debra C. Quenelle, Ph.D., D.V.M., an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and lifelong horse aficionado, decided to bring neglected children and horses together. At the Spirit of Hope Youth Ranch, an organization Quenelle cofounded three years ago, children in emotionally stressful situations work with horses that also have faced difficult experiences. The youngsters hear about each horse's particular circumstances—such as being malnourished or inadequately cared for—and the horses get the necessary food and treatment to regain their health.

"Children can relate the horses' stories to what has happened in their own lives," Quenelle said.

The participating children can choose how often they come to the ranch, and how much involvement they have with the horses. Some youngsters prefer to simply groom and visit with the equines; others actually ride the horses and learn how to throw a rope. The kids take an active role in helping nurse the horses back to health, and in some cases, can even name the animals. To date, 200 children have been involved with the Spirit of Hope Youth Ranch.

The kids get a big boost of self-confidence after they have mastered some equestrian skills, according to Quenelle.

"It is so empowering for a child to tell a 1,000-pound animal to stop, and the horse listens," she said.

Seeing how the equines respond to proper love, attention, and care is also amazing, Quenelle said.

"Watching a 400-pound underweight horse slowly put on weight, or recover from illness is incredible," she said. "It's tremendously satisfying to see the animals getting better."

—By Elissa Fuchs