When children participate in the LifeHorse program at the Grand Review Farm in Oxford, they say their lives are changed.
Children aged 3 to 21 with terminal, emotional and chronic illnesses attend the horse farm to find happiness and companionship through riding the equines.
And now, LifeHorse might have the chance to help the children even more by getting their biggest wish granted ? make that three wishes.
NBC’s latest reality show slated to run this fall, 3 Wishes, is hosted by singer Amy Grant. The show grants three wishes to various individuals and communities around the nation that are in need.
LifeHorse’s founder, Stacy Huston, said the three wishes she had was to have an indoor arena, services to clean the horses hooves for a year and grain and hay to feed the horses for a year.
The twenty-six-year-old horse lover started LifeHorse in 2002 when she heard about a similar program at the Covenant Farm in Maryland.
She said she kind of just dropped everything she was doing in her life to start the program.
‘I had just graduated from law school and knew that it wasn’t really what I wanted to do,? she said.
With the help of her parents Robert and Sparkle, they turned their farm on N. Baldwin Rd. into a therapeutic sanctuary for children.
Seven horses are boarded at the farm and approximately 20 volunteers help Stacy in her quest to bring joy to the children’s lives.
Huston said she has about 11 children from all over southeast Michigan who she works one on one with.
Children who qualify for the LifeHorse program may have arthritis, cancer, diabetes and selective mutism, among other things.
One such student who has selective mutism is 7-year-old Isabel Williams from Grosse Pointe. She is unable to speak in any social situation other than at home.
Her mother Sarah submitted the application for LifeHorse to be featured on 3 Wishes and said she was ‘shocked? when the producer actually called her saying they were interested.
‘You see things like that happen in California, you never think about a little town in Michigan,? she said.
Williams said the LifeHorse program has made a huge difference in her daughter’s life.
ference in her daughter’s life.
‘This has just been a big confidence booster for her,? she said. ‘It’s reflecting in her relationships at school too.?
This past Sunday, families, volunteers and students all gathered at the farm to create an application video sharing stories and showing their love of LifeHorse for the producers of the television show.
For the students, who always have private riding, this was their first time meeting each other.
‘I thought it was going to be so chaotic, but it went very smoothly,? Huston said.
Huston only had five minutes to explain why they want their three wishes granted. Some students even shared their reasonings for the video.
‘I love LifeHorse because it gives me self-confidence,? said Michael Duvall, 12, of Armada.
Seven-year-old Terrance Beebe, of Rochester Hills, made it clear what he wanted even though he was a little camera shy.
‘I would like to have an indoor arena because it could be too cold and too hot or if it’s raining I wouldn’t be able to (ride),? he said.
Huston said the main importance for wanting an indoor arena is because her students going through chemotherapy can’t be in the heat or cold for too long.
LifeHorse is a non-profit program and is free of charge to those who qualify. It is through donations, child sponsorships, horse sponsorships and grants that the program exists.
Huston said she’s really excited that LifeHorse was even recognized for 3 Wishes and that she hopes the application video will show the producers how much they care about the children and their wishes.
‘We have a lot of fun and the kids love being here,? she said.
For more information on the LifeHorse program, call Stacy at (248) 343-8432.