Author: Christina Tsirkas

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Embarking on an airboat adventure

When I first moved to Florida back in 2016, I was a New York transplant — a city girl through and through. My idea of the Everglades was a humid, mosquito-infested swamp, and airboat rides an overpriced tourist trap that posed little interest. Today, I’m an Everglades convert happy to admit that I was dead wrong. The Everglades is a majestic place unique from everything else Florida has to offer.

My conversion happened during my very first airboat ride. Just as Aladdin introduced Jasmine to a whole new world in “Aladdin,” I was fortunate enough to meet a man who did the same for me — he took me on a magic airboat ride through the Everglades at night, introducing me to a whole new world that has become one of my favorite places.

The diverse “River of Grass” is home to hundreds of different species of plants, birds, snakes, turtles, fish, frogs, and the American alligator. Gliding across the top of the clear, shallow water, airboats are the perfect way to pass through this beautiful terrain. No matter what time of day you venture out, you’re sure to see something different.

Reaching speeds upward of 60 miles per hour, airboats are equal parts sightseeing and thrill rides that can easily turn a hot summer day into a cool, enjoyable run. Under the morning/midday sun, you’ll have a crystal-clear view of the scenic sawgrass marshes and floating hydrilla, the greens dynamic against bright blue skies. Stare below the water’s deceptively clear surface and you’ll likely see garfish, bass, bluegill, and a number of other fish.

Cruising across the Everglades at sunset, you’re bound to see ibises, anhingas, egrets, and purple gallinules taking flight, soaring against the deep pink and orange sky. Considered one of the top 10 birding locations in the world, the Everglades is home to more than 360 different bird species. Be wary though — the transition to sundown is when you are likely to encounter the most mosquitoes.

Once the sun goes down, the Everglades begins to come alive, which is why nighttime tours offer the best wildlife viewing. Gliding slowly down shallow passageways between tall grasses, you’ll see plenty of alligators, their eyes glowing red from the airboat lights. Airboats can quickly pull up right alongside gators, giving you the ultimate safe, closer encounter. Once the water moves, these creatures dive beneath the surface, hiding under floating mud — one of the places they store a kill they cannot finish eating in one sitting.

One of the most enchanting parts of a nighttime experience is to shut off the loud engine and take a few moments to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Above you will be a stunning night sky laden with stars. Close your eyes and you’ll hear the low growling of gators and the trilling of frogs, a wild symphony that offers a peaceful escape from the day-to-day grind.

Public Airboat Tours

There are two outlets near Parkland that offer public airboat tours:

  • Loxahatchee Everglades Airboat Tours and Rides, 15490 Loxahatchee Road, Parkland. It offers a “Great Blue” 50-minute, guided airboat tour that costs $80 per adult and $45 for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Tours operate Monday to Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.evergladesairboattours.com.
  • Everglades Airboat Tours at Everglades Holiday Park, 21940 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale. It offers daily one-hour tours starting at 9 a.m., with the last boat leaving at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $35.99 for adults 12 and older and $23 for children between the ages of 3 and 11. Everglades Holiday Park also offers animal encounters and gator shows run by the Gator Boys, stars of the “Animal Planet” reality TV series of the same name.

Private Airboat Tours

While they may be a bit pricier, private airboat tours offer a more intimate experience, along with the ability to see the Everglades at different times of the day, when the sun is no longer bearing down on you.

Everglades Airboat Excursions offers private two-hour sunset tours, which cost $425 for up to four people, and private two-hour night excursions, which cost $500 for up to four people. Groups larger than four can be accommodated for an additional $50 per person. All tours depart from the boat ramp at Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area in Weston on Highway 27. For more information, visit www.evergladesairboatexcursions.com.

What to Bring/Wear

If you’re heading out on a daytime tour, you’ll want to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and bug repellant. You may also want a cell phone neck holder if you’re planning on taking pictures with your phone. Most airboats do not have sides, meaning that, if dropped, your phone will likely slide off the deck and into the water (unfortunately speaking from experience on that one!).

If you’re embarking on a nighttime trip, make sure to check the weather forecast. The temperature tends to feel about 10 degrees cooler in the Everglades, with the wind from the propeller making it even chillier.

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Shark Valley: the perfect place to see alligators, not sharks

Don’t let the name fool you — you won’t find any sharks in Shark Valley. Named for its location at the head of Shark River Slough, this 15-mile loop trail is the perfect spot to get up close and personal with an alligator (from a safe distance, of course!).

Located inside Everglades National Park, right off U.S. Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail), this paved trail is perfect for biking, hiking, and bird watching. There are also guided ranger and tram tours for those interested in learning more about the Florida Everglades — the only place in the world where the American alligator and American crocodile coexist.

This diverse subtropical wetland, the largest in North America, spans more than 1.5 million acres across central and south Florida — half of its original size. Composed of nine diverse ecosystems, the Everglades is home to more than 360 different bird species, 300 fish species, 20+ snake species, crocodiles, alligators, panthers, otters, frogs, and many other mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Shark Valley sits right in the middle of the Everglades freshwater marsh and is an ideal location for viewing wading birds — from herons to egrets, ibises, hawks, owls, and anhingas, along with plenty of freshwater wildlife. But the one animal that cannot be missed along the first half of this trail is the alligator.

These majestic reptiles bask motionless in the sun right along the side of the pavement just steps from visitors. While this may seem like a dangerous scenario, these gators are used to people coming and going and rely on their natural habitat for food, meaning they do not seek out people or pets. As long as visitors do not engage in any reckless behavior, such as feeding or harassing the alligators — behavior that constitutes a criminal offense — Shark Valley is perfectly safe for both adults and children.

Midway through the loop, visitors can stop and rest at the Shark Valley Observation Tower. Standing 70 feet high, it’s the tallest structure in the park, with a viewing platform that offers scenic panoramic views of the Everglades.

For those interested in a more daring adventure, Shark Valley offers guided full-moon and new-moon bike tours. Accompanied by a park ranger, riders embark on a three-hour tour where they can embrace the magic of the Everglades and all its nocturnal creatures, including alligators, after dark. Upcoming tour dates include March 4, March 16, April 1, and April 16. Reservations are required and can be made through the Shark Valley Visitor Center at (305) 221-8776.

Shark Valley is located at 36000 SW 8th Street, Miami, and is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in mid-December to mid-April, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in mid-April to mid-December. Bike rentals are available on-site.

For more information, tour schedules, and entrance fees, visit www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/svdirections.htm.

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Humans and animals rescuing each other: Lucky Horse Sanctuary

When Blair Barone, a licensed clinical psychologist, first opened her private practice in Boca Raton, she incorporated animals into her sessions, bringing a dog, a hamster, and a rabbit to the office with her. This practice proved so popular with her patients that she started bringing clients out to her four-acre farm in Coconut Creek and was blown away by their transformation.

“Being outdoors and around animals connects you with a deeper part of yourself that you just can’t access within four walls,” explains Dr. Barone.

After one year of seeing patients at the farm, she took a leap of faith, closing her office and operating entirely from her farm, the Lucky Horse Sanctuary. The practice, which specializes in substance abuse and mental health, is now the largest animal-assisted therapy program in South Florida, providing psychological support to more than 200 clients per week.

“When I first started, I had no idea where this was going to go,” recalls Dr. Barone. “I just had a love for rescuing animals and a call to be of service to people struggling.”

Following that call, Dr. Barone adopted horses, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, roosters, donkeys, dogs, cats, and rabbits — and even alpacas from local rescue organizations, most of which were in poor health and on the euthanasia list. “It was great for the clients because they felt like they were doing something meaningful by giving these animals a lot of love. We approached it like the animals were here for hospice care.”

No one was prepared for what happened next.

“In a few months, the animals were getting better, not worse. I never anticipated that. Nobody did,” exclaims Dr. Barone. “I sat down with the veterinarians to figure out what we were doing differently than the rescues and realized they were getting a lot of love and attention from people. The animals can feel the shift in the person’s physiology. There was some synergy going on.” The transformative power of love was helping heal both the animals and the patients.

A written reflection by one of Dr. Barone’s initial clients made her realize the profound impact of what she had created:

When I first came to the farm, I saw rescue horses that had been brutally broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually, just as I was when I came into treatment. I look at these horses and I am in awe of their will to live in spite of how they have been treated. They don’t give up on themselves like many of us addicts do. Like the horses, we can be provided with food, water, and shelter, but without that hunger to actually live and believe in ourselves, we won’t actually make it. These horses are a true inspiration to me.

The animals and their unbreakable spirits were inspiring those in recovery. Most importantly, they were giving them a sense of hope. “I’ve had people tell me that they felt suicidal before they came here. They’ve had actual plans to kill themselves and then, after interacting with the animals, they realized that they matter. The animals accept comfort from them, and until then they thought they were worthless,” recounts Dr. Barone.

Among these inspiring animals are Herbie and Sugar, two miniature ponies saved from slaughter; Margarita, the photogenic pig; Eve, an Iberian horse abandoned in the Everglades who lost all trust in people; and Wendy, the domesticated rabbit named after her place of abandonment — a Wendy’s parking lot in Pompano Beach.

Each animal has a story that those in recovery can identify with, as many of them were also abused, traumatized, hurt, or judged. According to Dr. Barone, roosters are an excellent example. “People meet a rooster and they automatically assume they’re aggressive. A lot of people in recovery feel very judged because they’re an addict. You’re going to steal from me, you’re no good. People have all these judgments. So a lot of them identify with the roosters because of that.”

The animal that touches the most lives at the sanctuary is a horse named Lady Liberty. Part of the largest animal seizure by the Broward Sheriff’s Department, Lady Liberty was intentionally crippled and standing in her own grave when rescuers found her. As if she had not suffered enough, one year ago, she developed a massive tumor on her stomach that, despite being removed, has grown back.

“It doesn’t faze her. She goes out at night and walks around,” explains Dr. Barone. “She doesn’t know she has a problem. And this is what really touches clients. She doesn’t give up on herself. She doesn’t have that limiting belief that a lot of the clients do. They hear the statistic that only 1 out of 10 will recover [from drug and alcohol addiction], and they just give up on themselves. Lady Liberty doesn’t know that statistically, she shouldn’t be trekking around.”

While Lady Liberty may be the most inspiring, the patients’ favorite animals to work with are the small herd of alpacas. Ironically, alpacas are the spirit animal for people in recovery, a fact Dr. Barone did not learn until after she had acquired these exotic animals. “Alpacas are designed to go on long journeys, and for people in recovery, it’s a lifelong journey,” she emphasizes.

“Their hooves are designed to walk up the sides of mountains, very rough terrains, which is what people in recovery have to deal with. It’s a rough road. They’re also designed to carry a lot of baggage. People in recovery have a lot of baggage. So that’s more great symbolism for them to appreciate. Most importantly, their survival depends on being in a pack, and the same is true for people in recovery. Being part of a fellowship and surrounding yourself with people on the same journey is crucial.”

For the past 10 years, Dr. Barone funded the farm through her private practice. Recently, she converted the sanctuary to a nonprofit organization in order to secure grants to serve a wider community.

For more information, or to get involved with the Lucky Horse Sanctuary, email Blair Barone at drblairbarone@gmail.com.

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Fighting back against human trafficking through education, empowerment

This year, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival brought together KidSafe Foundation, a local South Florida organization dedicated to educating and empowering children to make them harder targets for trafficking and sexual abuse, and “The New Abolitionists,” a documentary that follows four nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Thailand and Cambodia fighting to end human sex trafficking. Together, this partnership is raising awareness about the growing problem of human trafficking in this country and abroad.

It was a crisp November evening when I sat down at the Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale for a screening of “The New Abolitionists.” Originally built as a church in 1926, its theater still feels like a place of prayer, and that’s exactly what this harrowing film made me want to do, pray.

The film begins in Cambodia, where troves of girls are stationed at karaoke bars looking to pick up men. Many of these young women were victims of trafficking, some sold or deceived by their own families, and are now on their own and lack the education, skills, and self-worth to get out of the sex industry.

“A lot of people want to think human sex trafficking is prostitution. It’s not. Human trafficking is, by definition, when somebody has been forced, coerced, or frauded into these sexual acts,” explains Christina Zorich, director of the film.

In Thailand, a hotbed for sex tourism, the film estimates that there are 35,000 prostitutes in the city of Pattaya alone, where it is not uncommon to see adult men taking children on dates in public. As disturbing as it was to watch, it helps to demonstrate both the pervasiveness of the problem and, even worse, the complicitness of the government, which is why Zorich had to geoblock the film to prevent it from being seen in Southeast Asia.

“It’s pretty well agreed on in the anti-trafficking community that Asia is probably the most trafficked region of the globe,” says Zorich.

Just as jarring as the film itself were the number of empty seats in the theater, especially given that, according to data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Florida is one of the top three states in the country with the most human trafficking. “It’s happening here. It just looks different than it does over there,” explains Zorich. “It’s overt there; here it’s hidden. Because it’s hidden, there’s a lot of denial and lack of understanding.”

“Denial is one of the top hurdles we need to jump over,” agrees Cherie Benjoseph, cofounder and chief program officer at KidSafe. “Sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and sex trafficking all fall under the radar. In the movie, it’s horrifically blatant, but here it’s done in a way that you don’t see it. Child trafficking can happen out of a child’s home, and it happens in all types of communities. Right here in Florida, there are people more than willing to buy children for sex, and if we don’t accept that as a truth, we will never be able to see and/or prevent child trafficking and abuse.”

Thankfully, there are organizations here and abroad confronting the issue. And while the problem may present itself differently in both continents, the answer to combating the issue is the same — empowerment through education.

In “The New Abolitionists,” the NGOs discreetly approach the women at bars, sometimes posing as sex tourists, offering them a chance at a different life. The girls who choose to go with the NGO are provided trauma counseling, education, skill development, and employment opportunities. Those who are able eventually build a new life outside the NGO. “I found it inspiring that these women could build beautiful lives after having gone through so much,” says Zorich.

While the NGOs in the film were helping victims who had been trafficked, here in Florida, KidSafe has been working to get ahead of the problem by teaching children personal safety, starting at age 4.

“We teach personal safety skills from a place of empowerment, not fear. We are not teaching kindergarten through fifth-grade students scary stories, we’re empowering them with protective skills, just like you empower kids with swimming skills to protect them from drowning. We empower them with skills of safety to protect them from unhealthy relationships,” explains Benjoseph.

“Ninety percent of the time, child sexual abuse and child trafficking are perpetrated by someone they know and have been groomed by,” emphasizes Benjoseph in discussing the importance of educating children from a young age, as well as adults. “We can’t prevent child sexual abuse if we’re not raising awareness about it.”

KidSafe has online programs for professionals working with children and resource pages for parents that educate them on opening up the lines of communication with their children. “As parents, we assume that our kids know we’re available and they will come to us about anything. It is something we need to remind them about, early and often,” urges Benjoseph. “Making yourself an approachable parent plays a major role in keeping our children safe. The more we talk about relationships, and reinforce personal safety in our everyday parenting, the more we can prevent.”

In 2019, Florida became the first state to require child trafficking prevention education for grades K-12. To help meet this mandate, the foundation created “Stay KidSafe!” This is a program designed for counselors and teachers to use in their classrooms and includes a platform with 3D teaching animations, along with lesson guides that include questions, answers, activities, and role-play exercises. “Stay KidSafe!” teaches age-appropriate skills, including safety voice, circle of safe adults, safe touch/unsafe touch, good secrets/bad secrets, and accessing help. Students do not learn about human trafficking until sixth grade. After each lesson, a newsletter is sent home to parents advising them of what their children have learned and how to reinforce those skills at home.

The “Stay KidSafe!” program is free for all Florida schools, as well as schools across the country, and is funded through donations.

For more information about “The New Abolitionists,” visit thenewabolitionistsdoc.com. For information or to get involved with KidSafe, visit kidsafefoundation.org.

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’Tis the season to give back

With the holiday season in full swing, many of us are feeling extra grateful for all that we have, and the ability to spend time with the ones we love — a luxury we will never again take for granted. Some Parkland residents are sharing both this good cheer and generosity with those in need of some extra love this year.

Cancer Kids First South Florida

At just 15 years old, Joshua Grynbaum decided that he wanted to give back. Inspired by his family, Grynbaum decided to lead his own initiative, establishing a local South Florida division of a teen-led nonprofit, Cancer Kids First.

Cancer Kids First South Florida partners with children’s hospitals in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties to lift the spirits of children with cancer by providing get-well cards, bracelets, toys, craft kits, and other fun items.

This holiday season, Grynbaum has organized the Spread the Joy Toy Drive for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami and is also doing a toy drive for Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. Cancer Kids First South Florida is accepting toy donations for children of all ages until Dec. 5.

To get involved, check out their Instagram page @cancerkidsfirstsouthFL or email them directly at cancerkidsfirstsouthfl@gmail.com. Student volunteers can receive community service hours.

The Christmas Eve PJs Project

Every Christmas, Heather Khalil organizes the Christmas Eve PJs Project, which provides Christmas-themed pajamas for children in need — an idea that stems from Khalil’s own family tradition of gifting new holiday pajamas every Christmas eve.

Participating volunteers are assigned a specific child and tasked with being their personal elf — providing a stuffed animal, blanket, and book along with the pajamas. They are welcome to include hot chocolate, board games, a personal note, and anything else that reminds them of cozy family traditions.

The packages collected benefit Kids in Distress, Hope South Florida, God’s Little Lambs Preschool, and SOS Children’s Village.

The Christmas PJs Project is already well underway, but for those interested in getting involved, Khalil will be recruiting volunteers in January for her next project, Boxes of Love, a Valentine’s Day–inspired drive benefiting homeless families and veterans. Created by Khalil’s son in honor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas victims, volunteers provide wrapped shoeboxes full of toiletries, books, and crossword puzzles.

All boxes collected benefit Hope South Florida, Broward County Task Force for Homelessness, and Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen.

For more information, visit their Facebook page @Heather’s Volunteer Opportunities.

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Forming a deeper bond with your pet

“We all have the ability to connect with our animals on a deep spiritual level,” says Elaine
McCarty, animal Reiki master teacher and animal empath. Known as “the Animal Reiki Lady,” McCarty is dedicated to helping people establish deeper connections with their animal companions. We asked her to share that wisdom.

Q. How do you help people build a deeper connection with their animal?

A. The secret to forming a deep connection is balance and harmony and peace and calm. I show people how to release stress so that they can be fully present for their animal.

Q. What does being fully present mean?

A. Animals pick up on stress. Being fully present means clearing your mind and putting your stress aside. You can do that by meditating, focusing on your breathing, focusing on what you love about your animal companion.

Q. And once our mind is clear?

A. Spend time that’s not for you, but for them. I think that’s especially important right now. A lot of pets were adopted during the pandemic and are used to having their human companions at home. But now many people are going back to work. When left alone, this causes stress for the animal. They need to know you’re still there for them.

Q. How do we do that?

A. If you have a dog, take him for a decompression walk — a walk where you take your time, letting him go where he wants, sniff what he wants, not making him heel. The walk has to be for him, not for you.

Q. You practice animal Reiki. What is that?

A. Reiki therapy is a relaxation practice that rebalances our pet’s energy. It helps reduce stress, promote healing, and create an amazing space of love and compassion for people and animals. It’s a complementary practice to veterinary care that supports our pets’ spiritual well-being.

Q. What is Reiki used for?

A. Connection, behavioral changes, healing, end-of-life transitions. For animals that are exhibiting a certain behavior — say a dog that always barks when it’s raining — Reiki can help change their behavior without punishing them. Animals cannot voice their discomfort or confusion. They can’t say “I don’t understand why I feel this way.” When a vet tells you your horse has cancer, your horse doesn’t freak out. It doesn’t know it has cancer, it only knows how much pain it’s in. But the horse can feel your stress when you hear that your horse has cancer. Reiki helps keep them calm and in a space that allows their bodies to heal.

The healing benefits of Reiki are not limited to animals. Both the Mayo and Cleveland Clinic incorporate Reiki into their holistic treatment for pain management.

Elaine McCarty lives in Colorado but frequents Parkland at least four times per year, teaching animal Reiki at Three 7s Animal Sanctuary and seeing private clients. If you’re interested in learning more, check out her informative videos on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, under the handle “The Animal Reiki Lady.” For additional resources, or to get in touch with McCarty, visit her website at theanimalreikilady.com.

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Different isn’t a disability – Helping young adults on the spectrum live authentic, independent lives

“We’re people who have goals and feelings and dreams. We can do anything.”—Haley Moss, neurodiversity expert

She was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old, and doctors told Haley Moss’s parents they would be lucky if she were to be able to hold a minimum-wage job or obtain her driver’s license. Not one to accept any limitations placed on her by others, she not only defied but obliterated those expectations.

At 27 years old, Moss has already reached a number of milestones that many people would be grateful to accomplish in a single lifetime. She graduated from the University of Miami School of Law and passed the Florida bar, becoming the first openly autistic attorney in Florida. A published author, Moss has written four books, her latest debuting this month. She’s also an advocate, public speaker, artist, adjunct professor, and leader on disability inclusion, autism, and neurodiversity in the workplace. Her op-eds have been published by NBC News, Fast Company, Insider, Teen Vogue, and The Washington Post.

Oh, and she did also manage to get her driver’s license.

Living on her own, Moss is busy loving life her way. And with her latest book, “The Young Autistic Adult’s Independence Handbook,” she is determined to empower others on the neurodiversity spectrum to do the same — to live fulfilling, independent lives their way.

“I really wanted to make the book as inclusive as possible, realizing that everyone on the spectrum is different,” explains Moss. “It’s not just autism. The neurodiversity spectrum includes people with learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and even acquired differences like dementia, Alzheimer’s, or traumatic brain injuries.”

The inspiration for the book stemmed from the lack of available resources for young adults on the spectrum on transitioning to adulthood. “A lot of us are expected to be perpetual children, or we’re just expected to know how to be adults.”

Moss’s book provides advice and a framework for navigating situations many young adults struggle with that may present unique challenges for those on the spectrum — from relationships to maintaining a household, managing finances, and creating healthy habits.

The book is also a resource that can aid parents in preparing their children for adulthood. “There are all sorts of little things that you may not realize are stressful,” advises Moss, who uses grocery shopping as an example. “You’re not thinking maybe this is hard for them because there are so many options, or the lights are overwhelming, or it’s really crowded, or the carts are clattering. You’re not thinking like that because it’s not your experience. But it might be your child’s experience.”

Complete with advice from experts, personal experience, and practical ways to handle these challenges, the book emphasizes — as does Moss herself — the ability of people on the spectrum to make their own decisions and create their own lives.

“We might need more support in reaching those goals and dreams, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. We all want to be happy. We all want to feel fulfilled. We all want to feel loved. That goes for anybody.”

“The Young Autistic Adult’s Independence Handbook” releases on Nov. 18 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.

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Grab life by the reins: Experience the value of an equine adventure

There’s something inherently satisfying about embarking on an adventure. Whether it’s the thrill of trying something new or pushing past your comfort zone, adventures offer us the opportunity not only to challenge ourselves but to know ourselves better. They also make for great stories.

Equine adventures are particularly rewarding because they come with a 1,000-pound comrade with its own mind and personality. Whether you’re a green or an experienced rider, at times, horses will test your patience, confidence, and perseverance. And when you manage to develop trust and understanding with your horse, you are rewarded on a whole different level.

My most recent equine adventure was a cattle drive in Colorado. It was 8 a.m. on a Friday when I arrived at the 8,000-acre working cattle ranch just outside Steamboat Springs. As I pulled into the dirt parking lot, I was greeted by a line of horses saddled and waiting. My mount for the day was Moca, a beautiful dun mare.

There were six riders including myself — my partner in his recently acquired cowboy hat, a retired couple who sold all of their property and were traveling the country in an RV, and a mother-daughter duo on a mission to visit all 50 states before the girl’s 18th birthday.

Continue reading “Grab life by the reins: Experience the value of an equine adventure”

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Parkland gives back, providing 1,119 backpacks for students in need

This year, Parkland’s annual Backpack Project provided 1,119 backpacks complete with back-to-school supplies for students in need, aiding a number of nonprofit organizations, including Kids in Distress, Hope South Florida, God’s Little Lambs Preschool, and SOS Children’s Villages Florida.

 

What started as a small family and friends operation eight years ago has become a community favorite. “I think the first year we ended up with 300 backpacks,” recalls Heather Khalil, founder and driving force behind the annual drive. “We helped one agency with a backpack project.”

 

Over the years, as the Backpack Project grew in popularity, Khalil ran out of room in her house to store the donated backpacks and asked volunteers to become team leaders in their neighborhoods. “More friends and neighbors asked to participate as I added projects, so I reached out to other agencies.” She now has team leaders not only in Parkland, but also in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Coral Springs, Weston, Plantation, and a growing number of other communities. “Everything grew beyond what I thought was possible.”

 

One of the unique aspects of the Backpack Project, and perhaps the reason it resonates with so many, is its personal touch, an idea that originated with Khalil and one that she brought to fruition. “I think I was the first to bring the idea to do it for specific kids so people could actually shop for an assigned child and write a note to them.”

Each year, the participating agencies provide Khalil with a list of children in need. Volunteers are then given their particular student’s name, age, size, and gender so that they can purchase appropriate backpacks, first day of school outfits, socks, underwear, toiletries, school supplies, and a book, and they can also include a note of encouragement addressed to their child.

“Many people in the community tell me the whole family shops together for ‘their’ child,” enthuses Khalil. “Volunteers often provide more than what is asked for because they really want to make a difference. I get to witness a lot of kindness and love firsthand, which is truly amazing and a blessing!”

Next up for Khalil is the Halloween Project, which provides Halloween costumes for children in the foster-care and homeless system. “Children in the foster system and homeless system do not get new costumes for Halloween. If they get anything at all, it’s usually someone’s old costume. This project offers those children the chance to choose their own brand-new costume,” explains Khalil.

Again making the experience personal for both child and volunteer, Khalil asks participating agencies to provide a list that includes each child’s name, age, gender, size, and top two costume choices. Volunteers are then assigned a specific child and are responsible for providing one of the costumes requested, a durable trick-or-treat bag, and a full-size bag of candy.

For more information or to get involved, head to Facebook. Khalil has a local group called

“Heather’s volunteer opportunities” that regularly posts new events and calls for volunteers.

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The co$t of owning a horse

“A pony is a childhood dream; a horse is an adult treasure.”

—Rebecca Carroll

Many people dream of one day owning a horse. The allure is even greater in a place like Parkland, long known for its equestrian community. But before diving in headfirst, there are a number of factors to consider, especially given that the average lifespan of a horse hovers around 30 years, making them long-term companions. 

“A pony is a childhood dream; a horse is an adult treasure.” —Rebecca Carroll Many people dream of one day owning a horse. The allure is even greater in a place like Parkland, long known for its equestrian community. But before diving in headfirst, there are a number of factors to consider, especially given that the average lifespan of a horse hovers around 30 years, making them long-term companions. Aside from the initial purchase investment, horses require costly ongoing care. Tack and Grooming According to Ellie Scofield, owner of Spectrum Saddle Shop in Coconut Creek, essential grooming supplies average $50, and tack (saddle, bridle, girth, and pad) can range from about $350 for the essentials to thousands for show-level equipment. Boarding If you don’t have property equipped for horses, then you’ll need to board yours at a nearby stable. The following facilities offer monthly rates that include a private stall, bedding, feed (both hay and grain), stall cleaning, water, and turnout. Millpond Stables, Coconut Creek — $1,000 monthly Wattland II, Coconut Creek — $900 monthly or $300 monthly for stall only Jump On In INC, Parkland — $850 monthly Galloways Farm, Parkland — call for a customized quote. Lessons To refine your horsemanship skills, you’ll want to continue training in the discipline of your choosing. Millpond Stables teaches English and Western at a rate of $75 per hour. At Wattland II, lessons are $60 per hour and include instruction on grooming and tacking, a beneficial feature for new riders/owners. Jump On In INC teaches Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation, and Western. All lessons include basic horsemanship skills and are $65 per hour. At Galloways Farm, dressage lessons run from $65 to $80. Equine Vet and Farrier Your horse will require annual vaccinations, dental care, deworming, and hoof trimming/shoeing. Treatment for medical emergencies can cost thousands, though there are insurance plans available to help offset some of these costs. Even if you can afford the cost of upkeep, horses also require a significant time commitment. Boarding rates do not include grooming and exercising, which you’ll need to do regularly, not only to maintain your horse’s health and happiness, but to develop a bond as well. For those unsure if they’re ready for horse ownership, there are alternate options available to see if ownership is right for you. Many barns have leasing opportunities, and horse rescue ranches offer sponsorship programs and riding privileges. [Put in sidebar box?] For those itching to jump in, here’s some takeaway advice from the experts: “Make sure you get help. Watch and learn. Horses are very, very delicate.” 
—Dawn Watt, owner of Wattland II “You don’t become a rider in a day. Horsemanship takes time to learn. This is the only sport in the world where you are dealing with something that has its own mind.” 
—Amanda Myman, owner of Jump On In INC “Listen to your veterinarian, trusted trainer, and professionals, as well as good, experienced friends. Having horses is hard work, expensive, and one of the best experiences in a lifetime for both kids and adults!” 
—Ellie Scofield, owner of Galloways Farm

Aside from the initial purchase investment, horses require costly ongoing care. 

Tack and Grooming 

According to Ellie Scofield, owner of Spectrum Saddle Shop in Coconut Creek, essential grooming supplies average $50, and tack (saddle, bridle, girth, and pad) can range from about $350 for the essentials to thousands for show-level equipment. 

Boarding 

If you don’t have property equipped for horses, then you’ll need to board yours at a nearby stable. The following facilities offer monthly rates that include a private stall, bedding, feed (both hay and grain), stall cleaning, water, and turnout. 

  • Millpond Stables, Coconut Creek — $1,000 monthly 
  • Wattland II, Coconut Creek — $900 monthly or $300 monthly for stall only 
  • Jump On In INC, Parkland — $850 monthly 
  • Galloways Farm, Parkland — call for a customized quote. 

Lessons 

To refine your horsemanship skills, you’ll want to continue training in the discipline of your choosing. Millpond Stables teaches English and Western at a rate of $75 per hour. 

At Wattland II, lessons are $60 per hour and include instruction on grooming and tacking, a beneficial feature for new riders/owners.

Jump On In INC teaches Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation, and Western. All lessons include basic horsemanship skills and are $65 per hour. At Galloways Farm, dressage lessons run from $65 to $80. 

Equine Vet and Farrier 

Your horse will require annual vaccinations, dental care, deworming, and hoof trimming/shoeing. Treatment for medical emergencies can cost thousands, though there are insurance plans available to help offset some of these costs. 

Even if you can afford the cost of upkeep, horses also require a significant time commitment. Boarding rates do not include grooming and exercising, which you’ll need to do regularly, not only to maintain your horse’s health and happiness, but to develop a bond as well. 

For those unsure if they’re ready for horse ownership, there are alternate options available to see if ownership is right for you. Many barns have leasing opportunities, and horse rescue ranches offer sponsorship programs and riding privileges. 

For those itching to jump in, here’s some takeaway advice from the experts: 

  • “Make sure you get help. Watch and learn. Horses are very, very delicate.”
    —Dawn Watt, owner     of Wattland II
  • “You don’t become a rider in a day. Horsemanship takes time to learn. This is the only sport in the world where you are dealing with something that has its own mind.”
    —Amanda Myman,     owner of Jump On In INC 

  • “Listen to your veterinarian, trusted trainer, and professionals, as well as good, experienced friends. Having horses is hard work, expensive, and one of the best experiences in a lifetime for both kids and adults!”
    —Ellie Scofield, owner of Galloways Farm

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‘Witness the magic’ – empowering people through equine connection

Tucked away on the north side of Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek is a place that has been empowering all who pass through its gates — both two-legged and four-legged — for almost 40 years. That place is Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida (EATSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic riding and equine activities to children and adults with special needs. 

“We’re here to build people up, no matter what their ability is,” emphasizes Molly Murphy, executive director of EATSF.

And that’s exactly what the organization does through its hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, equine-facilitated psychotherapy, and equine-facilitated learning programs.

“None of my peers rode horses,” recalls Murphy, who participated in both EATSF’s therapeutic riding and hippotherapy programs as a child. “This was something I did and was really good at, and I felt really powerful. For kids with disabilities, that is not the case a lot of the time. You don’t feel powerful in a lot of ways because you don’t have power over the way your body moves or your mind works.” 

Throughout the years, EATSF’s program has demonstrated that fostering a connection between horse and human consistently produces inspiring results for participants on both a physical and an emotional level. 

A 4-year-old, nonverbal participant rode with the program for a full year and out of nowhere in January exclaimed to everyone, “Happy new year!”

Another participant qualified for nationals for the Special Olympics. Others have started out only able to lie across the back of the horse and, over time, developed the muscle strength to sit up with support. 

“It’s moments like that that have shaped and defined me,” says Missy Tussing, certified therapeutic riding instructor and barn manager, who has been involved with EATSF for 25 years. “One of the most important things I’ve seen is the growth of the participants.” 

The sense of empowerment derived from working with horses is not limited to the riders. 

“I’ve seen volunteers come across our threshold with no horse experience develop confidence and leadership skills that have transcended other areas of their lives,” says Murphy.

What is it about horses that makes them such effective therapy animals? 

“They understand emotions. They’re a lot more knowledgeable than we give them credit for,” explains Tussing. “I’ve seen a horse you wouldn’t expect to reach out and catch his rider reach out and catch his rider.” That horse is Goose, an off-the-track thoroughbred that EATSF acquired through its partnership with Florida Thoroughbred Rescue and Adoptive Care.

Goose serves as an example of the positive impact that therapeutic riding can have on the horse as well. “For him, that was the day everything clicked,” says Tussing. “Off-the-track thoroughbreds come with their own set of challenges, and for him as a horse to overcome that and become such a wonderful horse for the program is a testament to him as well.” 

EATSF is open to new participants, volunteers, and horses. To get involved, visit its website at http://equineatsf.org or call the office at (954) 974-2007. 

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