The Roanoker - March/April 2019 - 58

Animals to
Help
There is a multitude of
organizations that you can learn
more about, including animal
therapy, care and adoption. Here's
a brief list of those immediately
available in our region.
Roanoke Valley SPCA
1340 Baldwin Ave NE
Roanoke, VA 24012
339-9247
rvspca.org

58

MARCH/APRIL 2019

Michelle Holling-Brooks created Unbridled Change,
located in Boones Mill, as a result of her own experience
of healing with the help of a horse. At 13, she had
encephalitis and spinal meningitis and spent three
months in and out of the hospital, at times in a coma.
The illness left her with no memories and no use of her
body from mid-back down. She felt scared and angry
and withdrawn due to trauma.
When she saw a horse that she had known prior to
the accident, she was surprised she actually remembered
him. Working with him helped her create a bridge to a
piece of her that everyone thought was gone. She says
the bond she made with him helped her to "bridge the
gap between her relationship with the horse to trusting
humans again too."
After studying neuroscience and how the brain, body
and soul work together, she created Equine Partnered
Psychotherapy and Coaching programs that help
children and adults heal from trauma and abuse so they
can reconnect with themselves and others.
Healing Strides in Boones Mill offers Therapeutic
Riding and Hippotherapy Programs for individuals
with neurological disorders, spinal cord injuries,
developmental delays, sensory integration and skeletal
dysfunction among others.
Hippotherapy is a medical therapy. It requires
collaboration of the PT, OT or speech therapists, a
PATH Certified Instructor and an equine partner using
the cadence and movement of the horse to encourage
clients to reach therapy goals. Healing Strides partners
with Carilion Children's Hospital for this program to
serve pediatric patients.
"I believe it makes a difference with everyone who
comes here," says Carol Young, CEO of Healing Strides.
"Every day, we're moved by what these horses give to us."
Young shared that a child who is on the nonverbal

Angels of Assisi
415 Campbell Ave SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
344-8707
angelsofassisi.org
Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection
1510 Baldwin Ave NE
Roanoke, VA 24012
344-4922
rcacp.org
Animal Care Center of Salem
1035 S Electric Rd
Salem, VA 24153
389-0219
animalcareofsalem.com
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke
5985 Coleman Road
Roanoke, VA 24018
798-9836
swvawildlifecenter.org
Saint Francis Service Dogs
8232 Enon Drive
Roanoke, VA 24019
342-3647
saintfrancisdogs.org
TheraPets of the Roanoke Valley
P.O. Box 20756
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
632-1009
therapetsoftheroanokevalley.com
Roanoke Animal Chiropuncture
3916 Brambleton Ave SW
Roanoke, VA 24018
(405) 714-8045
roanokeanimalacupuncture.com
-KATIE WISMER
AJ MOREY

Unbridled Change
Building trust, respect and
willingness with a horse is the
first step for a client to feel
connected in his own life.

Salem Animal Shelter
1301 Indiana St
Salem, VA 24153
375-3038
salemva.gov/Departments/Animal-Shelter

TheRoanoker.com

http://www.rvspca.org http://www.salemva.gov/Departments/Animal-Shelter http://www.angelsofassisi.org http://www.rcacp.org http://www.animalcareofsalem.com http://www.swvawildlifecenter.org http://www.saintfrancisdogs.org http://www.roanokeanimalacupuncture.com http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker - March/April 2019

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