by Lorna Evans

Exciting news for the folks that operate and volunteer for COLT and their kids! They’ve moved to a new barn!

COLT (Changing our Lives Together) remains true to its name in the work they do with youth at risk. “We’re thrilled to be able to run our program at a top notch facility like Medicine Horse Stables”. That’s according to program director, Sara Lesher. The facility features an indoor arena - for comfortable year round riding, big roomy stalls with runs and two well groomed outdoor rings.

Lesher, who has been program director for the past two years, has been housing the program horses at her own small boarding facility in Greenacres - doing most of the work herself. In the meantime, she’s been searching for a facility that would offer the COLT program a great environment for the program horses and volunteers, plus welcome and support the kids and the work they do - all for a reasonable price for this non-profit, not an easy situation to find!

The owners of Medicine Horse Stables, Bruce and Judy Houck, say their happy and proud to have the COLT program at their facility. Judy Houck says she and her husband believe in the work that COLT does and have seen for themselves the positive healing that can be done with kids and adults by developing a relationship with horses. Mrs. Houck adds, “It’s all about the kids and making a difference in their difficult and challenging lives through the horses”.

Many of the kids involved in COLT come from challenging situations - from intense bullying, parents serving prison time, to homes and/or neighborhoods filled with drugs and violence. Their purpose includes exposing the children to a healthy and alternative way of life through prevention education and hands-on learning with horses. The primary objectives are two-fold: Reduce the risk of alcohol/substance abuse, gang involvement and school dropout, and second, increase youth standards and values regarding family, school, peers, and community.

Thanks to the Houck’s generosity, the COLT program will have a state of the art facility to operate out of. Director Sara Lesher says, “Medicine Horse Stables gives our program horses a wonderful home with room to run!

COMING UP - News about our August 27th open house fundraiser at our new home Medicine Horse Stables, 8101 S. Oak Road, Spokane. Join us for a fun day with our horses, Bar-B-Que, demonstrations and fun and games! COLT welcomes questions, volunteers and donations. Please feel free to contact us and check out our website at - www.coltspokane.org or call us at (509) 927-COLT.