The Horse Boy

The Horse Boy is a film about a journey of discovery. A Texas couple and their autistic son trek on horseback through Outer Mongolia in an attempt to find healing for him. When two-year-old Rowan was diagnosed with autism, Rupert Isaacson, a writer and former horse trainer, and his wife Kristin Neff, a psychology professor, sought the best possible medical care, but traditional therapies had little effect. Then they discovered that Rowan has a profound affinity for animals particularly horses and the family set off on a quest that would change their lives forever.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org or Evergreen to find it in a library near you.

Apples for Cheyenne

Apples for Cheyenne: A story about autism, horses, and friendship is a book about Rachel, a girl with autism who spends each Monday riding Cheyenne, a beautiful, well-mannered horse, in her therapy sessions. Other children with disabilities are featured in the book as well. Ben, who uses a wheelchair, rides a horse named Coco, and Julie, a girl who has trouble being still, rides Pixie. Together they share a special bond brought about by their beautiful horses.

Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this book, or try worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

PBS Documentary: "Through a Dog's Eyes"

Neil Patrick Harris is the narrator of an upcoming PBS documentary exploring the bond between service dogs and those they help. The show, "Through a Dog's Eyes," is set to debut April 21 on PBS stations.

The film details how dogs learn to serve people with disabilities and how animals and humans are paired. An Iraqi veteran who became a quadriplegic after a car accident and a 6-year-old with cerebral palsy are among those featured in the film.

Harris, of "How I Met Your Mother," says he was impressed by the strong emotional connection between the service animals and those who rely on them. He owns two dogs.

You can watch a 4-minute trailer for the show on the PBS website here: http://video.pbs.org/video/1435104301/. For more information on service dogs, check out this title from the CeDIR Library: Animal assisted interventions for individuals with autism

Animal-Assisted Interventions

Animal-assisted interventions for individuals with autism by Merope Pavlides is an informative book on the therapeutic use of dogs, horses and dolphins for children with ASDs. The volume serves as a practical handbook for those with no prior experience in animal services, written unassumingly with parents and the public in mind.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.

The Horse Boy

The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son by Rupert Isaacson tells the story of how Isaacson's son Rowan, born with autism learns to speak and grow as a person through the use of horses. Their journey of discovery takes them to outer Mongolia, where they have many adventures and grow as a family.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library.