Mistatim Healing program uses horses to build confidence and connection in kids

Lift that leg up. This husband and wife duo are bringing confidence back to the kids of Cutknife. Cheryl and Lyle Tatousis run the equine therapy program Mr. Tim Healing here. Cheryl says the main goal is to empower children they work with. The horses, you have to learn to live in the moment. There's no worrying about the past, no worrying about the future. And there is anxiety, but you have to learn to ground yourself. She was originally a nurse, but saw how horses helped her daughter cope with bullying at school. Now she's quit her job to bring horse-assisted learning to the students in Cutknife. The program helps students build trust and confidence. They have to get through obstacles, so they have to work together and it doesn't matter who you are, you have to come together as one and get over these obstacles. The program goes beyond working with horses. It also brings Indigenous teachings into the classroom. It's already making a difference to students. I have noticed a change in their communication that gives the students the confidence to kind of You know, get out of their shell when they're here and maybe they're getting upset and work through any kind of obstacle where they don't have that confidence. Grade four student Kazin Chikosis says the program meant facing his fears. I was excited and nervous because I'm a little bit scared of horses, a little bit. And now I'm not getting scared of horses. Tatousis hopes the confidence students gain will stay with them. She also hopes the program will bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities closer together. Jordan Leaney, CBC News, Cutknife.