At Trillium Family Services, we strive to incorporate therapy into everything we do. Our staff works tirelessly
to ensure that the young people in our care take part in innovative, complementary treatments such as equine,
horticultural and canine therapies. These specialized therapies allow the children to break out of a routine and
gain the skills necessary to thrive at home and in their communities. Most importantly, these therapies allow the
kids to be kids and to participate in age appropriate activities while learning how to live with their mental
health challenges.
Equine Therapy
Therapy horse Khouri is part of the team at the Children's Farm Home.
The Children's Farm Home Therapeutic Horse Program gives the young people in our care a chance to nurture and build
a relationship with another living thing. For these children, a horse can be so much more that just a horse... A companion
who teaches them social skills, a pet who shows them responsibility, a friend who helps them heal. Whether it is a child
who is suffering from bipolar disorder or an adolescent who bears a history of abuse, our horses help these young people
develop skills sets that will help them move toward a brighter future.
This program proves that creativity and innovative treatment can help bring forth the confidence within each child. In this
program, young people are able to help with the grooming, leading, and riding of the horses, which builds positive communication,
trust, achievement, management of emotions, and other important tools to help them thrive in their schools and communities.
The Horse Program now offers Riding Lessons and Horse Therapy and Equine Facilitated Learning to the public. To learn more about
these programs, please contact Kezzie Kvidt at 541-758-5979 or kkvidt@trilliumfamily.org.
Horticultural Therapy
Jenny Bush is Trillium's Registered Horticultural Therapist at the Parry Center's Healing Garden.
Horticulture is the art and science of growing plants. Horticultural therapy is the practice of using horticulture and nature-based
activities to improve human well-being. The Parry Center campus, with its beautiful garden and natural setting, is an ideal place
to practice horticultural therapy. The children are truly able to explore and engage with nature while learning team work, cooperation,
and problem solving.
Each child is given his or her own plot of soil where they grow fruit, vegetables and flowers of their choice. In addition, we have a
community garden where everyone works together to grow produce for our kitchen to be enjoyed by the children and staff at meal times.
Most importantly, the children begin to understand the saying "as the garden grows, so does the gardener." The children learn that nurture
and care reap beautiful results.
To learn more about this program, please contact Jenny Bush at 503-205-4339 or vbush@trilliumfamily.org.
Canine Therapy
Guide Dog puppy Ross serves as a "therapy dog" for children at the Parry Center campus. Dr. Whitney Vail, Psychologist Resident/Clinical Manager, is Ross's trainer.
Both campuses have therapy dogs that serve as confidants, cuddle partners, and overall friends to the children in our care. The Children's Farm Home has
three therapy dogs: Midas, a yellow Labrador; Ripley, a Chihuahua; and Jugdish, a Border Collie. And, the Parry Center for Children has their beloved black
Labrador, Ross.
These canines, alongside their trainers, have been professionally trained to help comfort and serve as an unconditional companion. The trainings teach the
dogs how to be calm in high energy situations; their soothing effect is undeniable. The dogs are frequently called upon to help calm children when they are
sad, anxious, angry, and even aggressive. Their mere presence is often enough to help the children feel better instantly. They cuddle with the children
and cover them in doggy kisses. Sometimes, they go for walks with the kids, romp through the grass with them, or even serve as a basketball or soccer spectator.
The healthy bond these young people have with the therapy dogs is unlike their connection to humans. These furry creatures don't ask questions, judge, or
make demands. They simply listen and love unconditionally-sometimes, for the children in our care, this is what they need.
To learn more about this program, please contact Dr. Whitney Vail at the Parry Center (503-205-4344 or wvail@trilliumfamily.org) or Tina Hendrickson, LCSW
at the Children's Farm Home (541-758-5918 or thendrickson@trilliumfamily.org.)
