From staff reports
Heavenly Gaits Therapeutic Riding Center in the Knox area recently wrapped up a summer program for veterans, according to Monique Nellis, executive director.
“I have found that God sends people into our lives at just the right time. Piloting our veterans program this summer was no exception. With the help of Josiah “Joe” Fink, his son Asher, and John Penny, we have had a truly amazing journey,” Nellis said.
Fink served with the Army National Guard for six years. He was part of the 1/112th Infantry Division. While serving with the National Guard, Fink served a tour of duty in Iraq.
While speaking with Fink about ways the center could impact veterans, he suggested including a family member, stating that “they are away from them enough.”
The framework of the center’s curriculum starts on the ground and moves up into the saddle.
Josiah “Joe” Fink, his son Asher and John Penny (Submitted photo)
With that in mind, Nellis turned to John Penny, a Clarion native, for assistance. He recently returned home to care for his father and comes from a family of esteemed horsemen. In his youth, Penny participated in 4-H, as well other regional show organizations and some AQHA shows. He went on to raise two state champion production horses and train a third state champion barrel horse that his brother rode to that title. It was during his college years that his equine journey shifted away from competition to his true passion in starting and working with young horses.
“The gentle-approach focus on the horse and the predator/prey relationship is very powerful when it comes to the communication between horse and rider,” Penny said.
After managing some breeding programs and providing private lessons, he began his journey at VisionQuest and his life changed forever while working with adjudicated youth from Philadelphia.
This experience exposed Penny to the “human damage” that exists in our state and strengthened his focus on a relationship with Christ. He was then determined to use his passion for horses to help troubled people experience amazing outcomes.
After numerous horse quests, wagon trains and local parades, he spent three years in the therapeutic riding field with developmentally disabled. Both adventures helped him to see the power of the horse as not only recreational or educational but an amazing therapeutic tool to help others. With his years of experience, Nellis knew he would be a tremendous asset to the program.
The major strengths of the program are that “it’s a therapy in disguise,” said Penny. “In the military we get counseling pushed on us all of the time. This is fun. When you realize that you are accomplishing something, it is a huge ego boost. With John as a mentor, demonstrating, supporting and encouraging, I was able to make mistakes and learn from them with his counsel.”
When discussing ways to improve the program, Penny mentioned the benefits of group sessions and how it could start to “click” for these guys.
“When you are in the service, you do everything together; a lot of guys miss that when they get out. This program has the potential to provide continuous comradery for our guys,” Penny said.
Heavenly Gaits is located at 2059 Ninevah Road in Knox. More information is available at heavenlygaitstrc.weebly.com.
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