Ignacio High School Choices class members held their culminating spring barbecue and equine therapy session where they showcased how they use their skills that they learned in class.
The Choices class teaches students skills to use to become mindful, deal with distress, emotions, and just accepting life as it is. They use the horses to help them practice these skills because sometimes it is easier to relate to a non-judgmental animal than with people.
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe courts provide grant funding for the class, that includes middle school to high school age students. The students brought friends and family as guests and said they had fun and that they were able to show their families that they are capable of working with others in a group and feeling that they belong in these groups. The students also said that they enjoyed meeting the new people that were invited to the group.
Teachers and staff are Gwynna Reinhardt, Tom Milazzo, Lisa Pratchett and Lillian Ramey.
