EASD - Equine Assisted Skills Development
The Equine-Assisted Skills Development program uses the horse to teach specialized skills such as problem solving, coping, and relationship skills. Through witnessing and identifying the behavior of horses, at-risk youth and others are challenged to identify missing or inadequate life skills in their own lives and begin to fill voids in areas such as trust, responsibility, confidence, self-esteem, and patience.
The EASD program follows the guidelines of time-tested equestrian-assisted programs and TLC personnel rely heavily on the use of corrective thinking techniques and reality based therapies; invaluable tools in work with juvenile offenders. By utilizing these and other innovative approaches to traditional therapeutic models, otherwise hard-to-reach participants make fast and dramatic progress!
AAA & AAT – Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy
Both the AAA and AAT programs provide opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and therapeutic animal activities that enhance the quality of life for its participants. In essence, at-risk youth and physically, behaviorally or developmentally challenged individuals come to the barn to hold, handle, and work meaningfully with animals that have been especially chosen for this use.
The TLC menagerie includes a wide range of therapeutic friends including horses, ponies, goats, ducks, chickens, and rabbits. Participants learn about themselves through the care and handling of these animals, and complex social and emotional issues are gently but significantly impacted when addressed from this reality based and natural perspective.
Light Center activities are delivered by specially trained personnel; professionals, paraprofessionals, and volunteers, whose focus is the growth and development of the participants. For most youth, therapeutic work with animals is a motivating and unique opportunity; an opportunity which lends itself to unique and rewarding outcomes!
Kendrigan Memorial Garden
The Kendrigan raised-bed garden is another shining example of Light Center teamwork at its finest! Started, maintained, and harvested by TLC youth, and assisted by corps of dedicated volunteer gardeners, the organic vegetable and floral garden provides wares that are available for both sale and specialty cooking and craft projects.
The 3500 sq. ft. area consists of 5 raised beds; completely accessible by crushed stone pathways and appropriately designed for height and optimal reach. Additional raised beds, and the developing irrigation and duck pond will soon bring an added dimension of both function and beauty!
Snow or sun, the Light Center is open year round!
17421 Marengo Rd., Union IL 60180-9692 • 815.923.2613