The D.O.V.E.S. Guidance Program

Last year, I started looking into riding programs for Alex. I read that learning how to ride a horse can be very therapeutic and I thought one might help Alex conquer some of his fears (those animals are big!). I envisioned him developing a sweet horse/boy relationship, kinda like in “My Friend Flicka” or something.

Weeks later, a friend of mine hit the jackpot and told me a Horsemanship Program had started right here in Lodi. It’s called The D.O.V.E.S. Guidance Program – a family and youth ranch Horsemanship Program held at Oxford Ranch. Their brochure reads, “It’s a family owned facility where children and their families can experience the Horse and learn about Horsemanship. From grooming to riding, children and their families learn that a relationship between a child and a horse can be a very special friendship.”

Owned and run by Gayle and Shannon Oxford, D.O.V.E.S. is a non-profit program and is dependent on donations in the form of money and/or supplies. The recommended age is 7, but for younger children, they suggest an interview to see if the child is ready for a "horse experience".

I phoned Gayle to inquire as to whether or not she was willing to work with Alex, being that he has the special challenge of autism. Even though D.O.V.E.S. isn’t necessarily a therapeutic riding program, Gayle was very much willing to work with Alex and just see how it goes.

On our first visit, I needed to fill out some paperwork and then we got started. Gayle was so patient and gentle with Alex, introducing him to Rosie, a sweet and gentle pony on the ranch.

There was a point where I thought I should just call it quits because Alex was getting so bothered by all the sights, smells and sounds of the ranch. Just as I was about to shake hands with Gayle, Alex agreed to feed Rosie. I teared up when he jumped up and down with excitement after Rosie took a biscuit from his hand. Alex was even brushing and petting her by the end. For a kid who has lots of sensory issues and parents who only expose him to farms for Easter Egg Hunts, I thought he did pretty good.

By the end of our third visit, Gayle saddled up Rosie and Alex reluctantly sat on top of her for about 10 seconds. He said she felt “wiggly”. That was truly a victory!

To find out more about this exciting program, you can contact Gayle and Shannon Oxford at 209-224-0311, or you can e-mail them at doves@clearwire.net. Check out their website at www.thedovesprogram.com.