Equine Therapy Builds Confidence for 12 Year Old Boy Living with SLS

Instrumental, indie, inspirational music plays as the only audio for the entirety of video.

Scene: Image of Owen wearing red polo AHEAD With Horses shirt riding pony Justin, holding ring in right hand and placing over red pole while playing Ring & Pole during Fun Day 2022. AHEAD With Horses logo top right corner.
Caption: Ride. Smile. Grow. AHEAD With Horses (AWH) is a therapy program which utilizes vaulting (gymnastics on a moving horse) to provide various physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits to special needs, disadvantaged, and disabled children.

Scene: Owen riding on pony Justin accompanied by instructor and volunteers.
Caption: Meet 12 year old Owen Gressley

Scene: Owen raising arms for "basic seat" with instructor and volunteers encouraging him.
Caption: Owen is diagnosed with Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS).

Scene: Wide shot of Owen riding pony Justin across the arena
Caption: Owen has been riding at AHEAD With Horses for the past year.

Scene: Owen petting pony Justin
Caption: "Equine therapy is the one therapy he truly enjoys." -Cindi, Owen's mom

Scene: Owen holding a ring in each hand, stretching, and placing over yellow pole in game of Ring & Pole
Caption: "It does a lot to help his posture and walking as the gait of a horse is similar to a person."

Scene: Owen holding blue ring on left hand, reaching, and placing over yellow pole in game of Ring & Pole
Caption: "He's not shorter than everyone else while riding because he's not in a wheelchair..."

Scene: Owen waving at camera with instructor's encouragement
Caption: "He is taller and I imagine that helps with his confidence."

Scene: Owen wearing red polo AHEAD With Horses shirt riding pony Justin playing Ring & Pole during Demo Day 2022
Caption: Owen loves riding his favorite horse Justin, our Pony of America (P.O.A.)

Scene: End screen with image of Owen riding on pony Justin, holding ring on right hand, reaching, and placing over pole in game of Ring & Pole during Fun Day 2022.
Caption: Every gift, large or small, makes a difference. CFC contributions from federal employees have been a lifeline for us. Your support means everything! Thank you! CFC #77886.