Trying Something New

At age 70, Cheryl is currently our oldest rider to participate in this unique program. Originally from Miami, Cheryl’s family moved to Thomaston years ago and fell in love with Georgia.

“Georgia became our favorite place says Cheryl, everything is the same in Miami but here you have all kinds of different trees, different bushes and four different seasons. I just love it here.”

Cheryl is learning to cope with several physical ailments that keeps her confined to a wheelchair or walker most of the time. Her daughter Laura is her full-time caregiver and brings Cheryl to Good Shepherd every Wednesday for riding lessons.

“Sometimes she is able to ride and sometimes she spends her hour lesson just sitting and brushing the horses” says Shelly Knight, barn manager and therapist at Good Shepherd. “Being around the horses here makes her insanely happy, and she thanks everyone constantly while she’s here.” 

20 years ago, Cheryl used to own horses and ride regularly and since beginning therapy at Good Shepherd she has shown improvements in her walking, health and spirits.

“Not too many people come out here at my age. I love every bit of this place. The staff is great and they are really good to me. They make sure I’m comfortable and make sure I can ride safely and even though I haven’t ridden in a number of years, I feel very safe and I enjoy it so much.  If people only knew how good it feels to do things like this…maybe more folks like me would do it. I enjoy coming out here and being around the boys in residence here and Shelly of course.”

Cheryl has one horse that she rides during all of her lessons named Chili. “He’s calm and gentle and never gets upset with me over anything. Just the sweetest horse you would ever want to know. I can probably handle one just a little more spicy but I’m certainly not ready for the rodeo by no means! Laura say’s her mother’s primary care physician nearly had a stroke when she took the riding release form for her to sign. “She can’t ride” the doctor said, but Cheryl has proved them wrong.

“I wish more people like me could take advantage of this place. You just have to not be afraid of trying something new. I believe in time, I will be able to walk better and have more mobility. I just love it here!”



Your support makes stories like Cheryl's possible. Thank you for giving children and families a place to call home. You can learn more about our Good Shepherd program at https://www.georgiachildren.org/good-shepherd