Hope & Healing with Horses for children who have lost a loved one

Coastal Hospice invites children who have lost a loved one to Hope & Healing with Horses.

This is a free one-day children’s bereavement camp, which will be on Saturday, October 1, from 9:30 AM- 3 PM at Kindred Spirit Farm. The farm is located at 3191 Johnson Road in Salisbury.

This bereavement camp is designed for children ages 6-14 who have experienced the death of a parent, grandparent, sibling or other close loved one in the past two years. It is open to both hospice and non-hospice families, however children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
 
“Children who have lost someone dear to them grieve in very different ways than adults,” said Alane Capen, president of Coastal Hospice, which hosts the event. “They may find it harder to express what they are really feeling. Hope & Healing with Horses gives them a chance to connect with other children who have experienced a similar loss.”
 
Hope & Healing with Horses organizers say this camp teaches children and their families strategies to express grief and reduce stress and isolation. The day camp uses horses as a tool for emotional growth and learning allowing the children to ride the horses, groom, and talk to them.

Horses apparently can offer the children a simple but profound relationship and allow them to connect to a living being without the risk or rejection or criticism.
 
Counselors from Coastal Hospice, who are trained in bereavement support, conduct the camp and guide the children and their families through their feelings.
 
Organizers say that no previous experience with horses is required, and children should wear closed-toe shoes for riding, and must be accompanied by a responsible adult. There will also be grief support activities for the adults who accompany the children.
 
Lunch is provided, and the event will take place rain or shine.
 
This event is free, but registration is required by September 27 by calling Melissa Dasher at 443-944-5846.

Coastal Hospice asks all persons to honor registrations once they have been made.
 
Founded in 1980, Coastal Hospice is a nonprofit health care organization that cares for individuals facing life-limiting conditions but who want to remain as active and engaged as possible. 

Coastal Hospice cares for patients in their home, nursing home, assisted living facility or at Coastal Hospice at the Lake.  The organization serves Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester and Somerset counties.