In Smiling Goat We Trust
Ever have a hunch? Then, actually follow that hunch?
“Sheryl, I am officially a long hauler and currently wearing a heart monitor. I’m having a flare up and my brother and cousin have offered to come with us in case I have palpitations and they take over. Totally understand with COVID protocols if it doesn’t work.”
This autism mom didn’t want her two children both with autism to miss their Easter experience. After all, with COVID, there were no giant Easter egg hunts. We were offering small groups to two families max at a time, an Easter egg hunt geared to autism and the stars of the event: new baby bunnies.
My first thought?
What is long-hauler? I quickly learned: long haulers are people who have not fully recovered from COVID-19 weeks or even months after first experiencing symptoms. Some long haulers experience continuous symptoms for weeks or months, while others feel better for weeks, then relapse with old or new symptoms. The constellation of symptoms long haulers experience is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome.
We set up our environment to calm both the nervous and sensory system. We follow the cues of the people we serve – people with autism, people with PTSD – to tell us what works and doesn’t work. But would it work for a long hauler? I thought yes!
In Smiling Goat We Trust
This family has been coming to us from Day 1 – when they first learned their daughter had autism. But, surprisingly, neither of the parents had ever experienced our sensory work.
“Maribel,” I said, “I have a gut that sensory work might be great for you to try right now. The kids are happy with the animals and hunting for eggs…we could have you try it. If your heart races, we can stop.” For this endeavor, the horse is static and only wearing a halter. We use the horse like a big old couch. People automatically seek three positions over and over: lean forward, lean back and butt hug. We do it in teams of three people who offer support from the ground, so the person on the horse feels safe and accepted.
Sensory Work for All!
The body-to-body contact of human to horse reduces stress for ANYONE. How? Oxytocin is released in response to sensory stimulation from the warmth and touch of the horse. The skin-to-skin contact with the horse helps calm the sensory system. And, the psoas muscle is gently stretched, stimulated and ultimately relaxes. For those with autism, they stop stimming, the temper tantrums stop, and for everyone, the mind stops racing, and in Maribel’s case, her heart stopped racing. We’ve been honored to witness the power of this sensory work with many – men, women and children alike. Her heart slowed down in position one and completely stopped racing in position three.
“Sheryl: thank you so much for yesterday. I had practically no symptoms and had the best sleep I can remember since all of this started.”
