Arrowhead Juvenile Center (08/21/09)

8/21/09 Arrowhead Juvenile Center Outreach in Duluth, MN

Dedicated in memory of our WindChill Family Member, Helen in Canada

Well another first for Magic. She and her WindChill Family Members, Kathi, Polly, Gramma Carole, Betty W. and I were in lock up with her. As we came to the front door, it was push a button, state our name and what we were here for, a buzzer sounds, lock clicks. We all crowd into the entry way. Another button to push, state our business, a buzzer sounds, lock clicks. We are in. We write in the entry log and then we go down long hallways, through several doors, all needing a key to unlock them and many clicks and clanks.

All us wondered how this would particular outreach would go. These were young men in trouble with the law ages 14-17. Would they be macho, posturing to make a name, say inappropriate things, or hurt Magic in some way? We took the chance. We took the challenge. It turned out to be one of the best and most gratifying experiences for all of us, WindChill Family Members, staff, and the young men.

It started 2 weeks ago with me visiting the staff to get a better understanding of what to expect. I met 1 group of guys as they were going to breakfast and the second group as I looked at the 2 rooms we would be in. I felt comfortable (being a retired High School Special Education Teacher)

I was told to only bring the essentials, the barest minimum. That meant the projector, my computer, and extension cords, and a table and Magic of course.

I knew these 2 presentations would have to be different from any others. I would have to connect fast to hold their attention and build some type of relationship with them. When the first group of 14 young men came in I looked at each one, making eye contact and said hi. First statement from one of them, “I don’t see no horse.” I assured him a horse was coming but first I wanted to talk about this horse on the screen. “Comin’ out in the yard?” I said the horse was walking into this facility and was coming straight into this room and standing on this carpet right in front of him. “Cool.” With a yeah right look at a staff member who nodded his head yes.

I also told them that I bet they never thought a 58 (me) and 62 (Gramma Carole) your old women would be here talking to them about horses. I told them I know they did not want to be in here but I was glad I was here because I would never have had the chance to share with them about this special horse on the screen. I told them that when they got out and were telling friends what it was like in here, they might let it slip that a horse came here to visit them. “Who is going to believe you? Your friends will think this place made you nuts. I bet the staff is getting a big kick out of this one.” I said. One boy said to a staff member, “Get a camera. If a horse is coming in here I want this sent home.” I had their attention!!!!!

Then I was ready to start. I opened with how they were making history here. This is a very unique program in the U.S. and they were the first juvees ever to have a horse come into a locked facility to visit them.

I showed the first 2 slides and magic happened. One brave soul asked a question “Is that how WindChill got his name?” and the floodgates opened. Gramma Carole and I looked at each other. We had them. What deep questions and comments. It just made my heart soar. No smart aleckiness- just genuine want to learn questions. That is how powerful WindChill’s story is. I had such a good time bantering back and forth, listening to opinions. I just beamed at their warm heartedness, the give and take, the depth of understanding, and just the smiles and body language that showed me they were with me. It is always a thrill when you know a connection is made.

I talked about the laws in MN and WI, the ethics and values involved in rescuing horses as opposed to putting them down, why people abuse animals, the pain and suffering endured when being abused and neglected, and the hope when 1 person cares enough to step in to be the voice of the animal or person who has no voice.

One red curly haired boy rushed to sit in the first seat when I said that Magic will be walking through that door and the petting would start at this end. He was not disappointed. He got his wish and just melted into her. He grinned from ear to ear. The staff was really surprised. WindChill’s Family could not believe how all the guys just let down their guard and the young men got off their chairs and knelt down to be on Magic’s level. How gentle they were while asking questions while hugging her. I showed one young man, by raising her forelock, how he could get a good look and her star, her snip, and her eyes. When we came back around every young man raised her forelock to take a close look and touch her star. Some, when it came time for their individual picture to be taken with Magic, lifted her forelock or pushed it to the side to get her cute face in the picture.

I will never forget the smiles on the kids and on the staff. I will never forget the happiness and wonderment in that room shared by all of us.

I was asked to relate in no uncertain terms the similarities of abuse and neglect of animals with people. I used examples in my own life. Gramma Carole and the staff said I did a really good job with that. The message came out loud and clear that it takes one phone call or 1 person coming out of their comfort zone to make the call, to change a situation, to give hope were there was none. If the phone call came sooner like with Magic, WindChill might have lived and as Deb’s BBQ auction paintings showed: How it Should Have Been-WindChill in the Spring Laying in the Daisies and Forget Me Nots and How It Should Have Been-WindChill Growing Up with Layla Running in the Fields.

We were beaming and the staff was beaming. Magic brought out the most heartwarming, inquisitive, laughing, side of these boys. We went around so many times. Every young man wanted his picture taken. “Are we sending these home?” They had their picture taken and then had to check the camera to see how cool they looked. “Are we really sending these home?” “I want this sent home.”

It was pure joy to see these young men interacting with Magic and us in such a respectful, boyish, teasing, way.

There was no macho. It was give her a hug. These boys were from 5 surrounding counties. No defenses. It was amazing. I knew Helen was look down from above with WindChill.

When we were done with this group, they gave Magic their last hugs and said thank you us many times.

Then we had to pack up to move to another part of the facility, treatment. Again we had to set-up. The young men were so excited that they were busting out the door as we were still setting up. Again they asked the same question, was a real horse coming here. When they did not see the horse they told the staff members what a cruel joke this was, “just setting us up.” I explained what was happening like with the first group and how they would have to listen to me first. The questions started right away. This group was very vocal, asking questions, trading remarks back and forth while others looked so defeated, heads hanging down, eyes dull.

Again I made the contact I needed with each young man and especially the ones with the sad eyes.

I rolled with the talk until I knew I got their attention and they were ready to hear WindChill’s story. As I was talking about WindChill, I often looked at the ones with the sad eyes. They were listening. I especially looked at them when I talked about how WindChill did not feel valued or important to anyone but how that all changed when he came to the ranch and for 20 days he at least knew he was loved and valued and important to us. He got his dignity back. I talked about hope and how 1 person can change your life. I gave several examples from my own life again.

They also were very good listeners, asking tons of questions during the presentation. This was a different crowd, a bit more immature, off the cuff, playing on the edge but knowing the boundaries.

This continues with Magic and of course Magic still brought out the best in them. They hugged her so many times. They stroked her without thinking as they asked questions. One boy shied away from her 3 time but on the 4th try he let his guard down and became the best stroker, going all the way from her mane to top line to back. He just did it without thinking while talking to the others around him.

One of the staff had left her toothpaste and toothbrush out so after Kathi had showed off Magic’s teeth, one of the guys brought over the staff member’s toothbrush and toothpaste, asking us to demonstrate how we brush Magic’s teeth. That got a laugh. (ahem)

One of the boys asked for pictures. The staff had to find the camera. At least 58 pictures were taken of the 17 boys. This group was more rambunctious and they did single as well as group hugs with Magic. I don’t know how Magic withstood 3 big heavy guys leaning over and enveloping her whole body, as pictures were taken with just her beautiful face showing. We had to look at each picture and Magic was picture perfect in every one, facing front. This was the usual picture: 1 guy on her side, 1 guy on her other side and 1 guy coming from behind all leaning over the top of her and her pretty face smack in the middle. Again her instincts are incredible. She was a rock for these boys. Staff was amazed that these boys were working together and even arms around each other as if they were best friends all of a sudden.

It just brought tears to our eyes. As we were leaving, one young man made a beautiful braid in Magic’s mane.

One thing I have to say is that we were complimented by the staff for bringing so many members with us and how we interacted with the kids. We did not stand up in front and lecture. The presentation was so up close and personal. They were in a bit of awe. They also remarked about our calm flexibility. Magic was not some high strung horse seen at a distance. This was intense hands on with an in your face horse of incredible beauty, 225/230 solidly muscularly built horse. The staff was nervous about us too but we fit right in with the 2 groups. The warmth and genuineness of our family is incredible they said. We were the real deal. They asked us to come back when new groups are brought in. (about 4 times a year)They thought the kids needed to hear this and the lessons fit so well into their lives

I can say all us enjoyed today. This is when Magic is at her best, with difficult groups. I know WindChill and Helen were looking down and having a good time watching all this. I could hear Helen using her incredible way with words and her lively sense of humor talking to WindChill, discussing the Magic they were seeing. Now Helen will have a front row seat to watch over all our outreach programs.