September with Deaf, DeafBlind, & Military

What I, Andrew Knox learned from September.

In the beginning of  2015, I was in eighth grade in middle school at Ohio School for the Deaf. My behavior was struggling because I was angry about everything.  I frequently lashed out at others who did not deserve it, and was often in trouble for being disrespectful, having no patience, fighting with others or attempting to, just to release my anger. This caused me to alienate many at school.  My school started to recognize that my behavior had quickly changed. My grades suffered enormously and everything was affecting my social life as well. The school decided to send me to a therapy program alongside several other deaf students. 

Once a week in the morning, the other deaf students and I arrived at the barn,  and PBJ Connections staff introduced us to two horses, September and Rocky in the arena.    September’s behavior caught my eye and I observed him often because he was big and had firm body language. Some deaf students laughed with a noisy voice but we were not able to hear the sounds.  September was in full shock and flipped out, running around the arena.   I was puzzled and learned that the sound waves hit the walls around in the arena.  In short, after months I learned many lessons from him.  He taught me how to be patient, responsible, committed, use critical thinking, and use positive communication with the group.    Not only did he teach me that perseverance and determination is key if you want to get anywhere in life, but he also taught me that patience is something you need to apply to your entire life, not just one specific thing. But most importantly, he taught me that it is okay to fail and that it is okay to change your path. He taught me that I don't have to win to be great.   

I needed to fix my mistakes and learn from other people through learning and listening. 

Honestly, I never thought that I would be working closely with horses. Yet it completely changed my outlook on life, and led me to be a better person with kindness, respect, and patience with others.

Now I am a second year student at Gallaudet University, located in Washington D.C. and I have been involved with Congress as an intern and advocate and I have an ambition to be a Congressman representing this country. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be part of the program and to share my story with others. If you are curious about this program, I highly encourage you to contact PBJ Connections.

Arthur Roehrig, a DeafBlind friend, met September several times by touching September’s face and body with his hands. Arthur said, “September inspired me because I used to work on the farm with my dad at Wisconsin.  My vision became blind at the age of 30 and I had to live in Washington, DC where I used to work with disability students as a counselor.  I am now retired and visited September for grooming or fed him carrots.   September gave me an opportunity to refresh my memories of my dad and horses, too. Also, he gave me joy when I touched his body.    September is really big and has a lot of patience with me.”

Pictures of Arthur with September, he fed a carrot on his hands.   And, he enjoyed touching September's Horse tack with his hands.  

With Military and horses, the researcher discovered that horses have been successful in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).   Some military people experience healing with September.  He is the oldest wisdom horse and who can read people's spirit very well.  

September works with our Veterans and First Responders. Just last week he had an entire group in tears as he used his elder wisdom to help a group of female Veterans. 

In another session with Veterans, there was a woman who decided the paddock stalls were a metaphor for "family" stuff.  She talked about how her family had hid and not talked about the childhood trauma that still haunted her as an adult, and she no longer wanted it to be in "the dark."  September became a metaphor for her son, with whom she was estranged, and Dia was a metaphor for her daughter. She tearfully talked to September about her pain regarding their relationship. As she did so, he came out of the stall into the sunlight, giving her a visual for what could happen if she started communication with her family.