I want to thank you for the many hours that I have enjoyed watching Wednesday’s Child. You have brought to all of New England some good and gracious news about our happy and courageous children. It is always an uplifting and pleasant moment in my day when I sit and watch such touching pieces. You have put your heart and soul into these kids and I commend you for what you have accomplished and how many children you have made happy.

I have something very important I want to share with you. There is another person that has accomplished a lot along these lines and has made many children and their families very, very happy. This person is Toby Freeman who lives in Bedford, NH, she is a speech pathologist and therapist who works with children and adults with developmental problems 6 days a week. She has been in this field for almost 30 years and is considered an expert in her field. She has an office practice in Bedford, NH and offers hippotherapy at a Van Guard Stables in Bow, NH.

I had the opportunity to volunteer with her for awhile as a side walker in her hippotherapy program. Hippotherapy is a tool which uses horses to promote stimulation to the child’s nervous system, their muscles, breathing, brain, balance and most importantly, their sense of enjoyment. Her success is astonishing and the progress of her patients is just amazing. She has a physical therapist on her staff that works next to her so the child’s other physical issues can be addressed at the same moment. I have witnessed non verbal kids who are speaking within a few weeks. Watching her patients grow in muscle tone and become more stable. I see the confidence and happiness on their faces. I will say again, it is truly amazing! She IS a miracle worker and that can be verified by the parents of these great kids.

Toby’s goal is to bring this program to as many children as she possibly can. She works with the parents who are less able to afford her services, finding scholarships, grants and even providing the services for almost nothing. Her heart is in her work, her kids and her passion is to help as many as she can.

If you would, please contact Toby and talk to her (603-472-3144 or at tfspeech@aol.com ). She has a lot to give and a lot to share with the parents in New England who have children with these disabilities. She is making a huge difference in not only the lives of these children but also the parents. I have observed the smiles, the tears and the pride of these parents. This is an everyday occurrence; tears of joy are common at the barn in Bow, NH where she has her 6 horses. 4 used in hippotherapy and the other 2 for recreation. She also provides lessons to children with disabilities and any others who are interested. She is also certified as a NARHA clinical riding instructor for therapeutic riding.

Please take a look at Toby’s web page, http://nhhorsetalk.com it will give you a good understanding of how the program works and how she uses it to improve the lives of so many kids. And please talk to Toby, she wants to spread this message to as many as she can. She is very articulate, knowledgeable and will have a lot of wonderful things to share with you.

Please consider Toby as a feature on Wednesday’s child. I feel confident that her message and her passion will touch the hearts of many and will give hope to many parents of these wonderful children.

Sincerely

Bob Jeffreys

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