The Barn at Spring Brook Farm helps kids with disabilities
Mary Beth Drobish is proud of the success she’s had since she opened The Barn at Spring Brook Farm three years ago. She said one of the successes was that a 2-and-a-half year old girl with Down Syndrome who had never borne her own wait, walked for the very first time all because of a connection made between her and a miniature horse.
The 17-acre farm is tucked away in the quiet of rural Pocopson Township. Drobish had the two-story, completely handicapped accessible barn built three years ago to provide programs for kids with disabilities.
“My husband passed away in 2003. My kids are grown and I had to decide what to do with the rest of my life. So, I decided to combine all my passions–animals and children,” she said.
“I didn’t even know at that point how this was going to come together, but it has come together beautifully,” Drobish said. “During the regular year we have children who come on field trips and three days a week we have children who come individually for an hour at a time meeting with a volunteer. We design specific activities for each child depending on their personal goals. Our tag line is ‘Animal assisted activities for children with disabilities.’”
During the summer, there are three weeklong day camp sessions.
Drobish said the activities give youngsters a chance to develop self-esteem and independence. There is some therapy–both physical and emotional–involved in all the activities.
“We have a wonderful group of animals that are carefully selected,” she said.
Those animals include miniature horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, a rabbit and a full-sized thoroughbred mare.
“The animals offer an incentive for the children to do things that they don’t want to do otherwise. And we’ve had some wonderful things happen here with the children,” Drobish said.
She then told the story of the girl with Down Syndrome who walked for the first time in her life after making eye contact with a miniature horse at the farm.
Drobish said the family had been working with a physical therapist for a year but the child wasn’t walking or even standing on her own. When they came to the farm, Drobish took them to see some goats in a pen.
The therapist got down on her knees and was holding the little girl at the waist. The girls grabbed the mesh on the gate and made eye contact with the goats.
“The therapist let go of her at the waist, and she stood on her own or the first time in her life. It wasn’t long, only a few minutes, but this was a breakthrough and the mother was beside herself,” Drobish said.
Drobish then decided to try another animal and brought a miniature horse into the aisle.
“She didn’t want anything to do with the horse at first, but eventually started stroking it. The little horse dropped her head and looked back at her and they made eye contact. I knew then that something very special was about to happen.”
Drobish asked the therapist to take the girl down the aisle, about six or eight feet. The therapist obliged. She held her at the waist briefly before letting go.
The girl and horse made eye contact again, and the girl started walking to the animal.
“It happened within an hour after a year of physical therapy, Drobish said.
While not all the stories are as overtly dramatic, they are nonetheless significant.
Leah Reber’s 6-year-old son Charlie has a muscle disease that has him restricted to a wheelchair and requiring a feeding tube. But since he started attending programs at the farm last fall, he’s been showing signs of independence, Leah Reber said.
She said Charlie looks forward to going to the farm because it’s a place for him, a place where he makes friends with other kids who have difficulties.
“He’s comfortable here. He has some independence. It’s awesome. He loves it. It’s a great program.
The Barn at Spring Brook farm has three full-timers on staff, one on half time, a weekend barn person and 25 to 30 volunteers on a regular basis.
The farm will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday July 25. Youngsters and their families will be able to meet the miniature horses, milk a cow and hold a bunny. Beverages and ice cream are provided, but people should bring their own picnic lunch. The farm is asking for a $5 donation per car. For more information visit www.springbrook-farm.org or call is 610-793-1037.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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