All youth support coordinators can be contacted through HWYP for any further information
NORTEC EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
Nortec Youth Services
To Whom it May Concern
My name is Isabel Topper. I am writing on behalf of all the staff at Nortec Youth Service to demonstrate our appreciation and support to Sue Spence and Horse Whispering Youth Program for a wonderful, innovative and inspiring program that helps many of our clients achieve milestones and goals in regards to personal communication, confidence, interpersonal relationships and control over their emotions.
Nortec Youth Service is responsible for the North Coast branch of the Government-funded initiative - Youth Connections, which aims to support young people between the ages of 11 and 19 to remain or re-engage with educational pathways. Many of our clients are faced with barriers such as behaviour problems, low self esteem, bullying, socialisation issues and emotional issues.
Our company has a solid relationship with Horse Whispering Youth Program and consider them an integral tool to achieving positive outcomes for our clients and hope to utilise their services for many years to come.
Yours sincerely
Isable Topper
Youth Connections Caseworker
Nortec Youth Services
Amy
Youth Support Coordinator
To Whom It May Concern
The Youth Support Coordinator Program is a Queensland Government funded Program auspice by Wesley Mission Brisbane on the Gold Coast. The purpose of the Youth Support Coordinator Program is to provide support to young people and their families to prevent early disengagement of young people from school. Typically, students present to the program have histories of family abuse, drug addiction, low employment and poor educational outcomes.
The Horse Whispering Youth Program Natural Horsemanship Program run and operated by Sue Spence provides an extremely important and valuable therapeutic tool in order to engage with students and achieve tangible outcomes.
Through her horses, Sue is also able to engage with students where typical interventions have failed. Students (particularly those who have been abused as children) find her animals and methods to be very non-threatening. Through this environment, Sue is able to teach students vital communication and body language skills in order to assist them to engage more effectively in their school and home environments. Sue Spence, by teaching students natural horsemanship techniques, is able to convey simple differences to students, such as the difference between being aggressive and assertiveness. I have found that students who have had contact with Sue from Merrimac State High School has had the effect of reduced suspensions and generally a better level of engagement with students and teachers.
It is obvious Sue Spence finds her work with students to be fulfilling. Sue maintains extremely affordable rates for her service so as to allow students and families from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to opportunities to engage with her programs. Sue Spence also demonstrates her ability to engage with students whose behaviours can sometimes be challenging and always treats her clients with an utmost respect.
Yours sincerely,
Amy
Youth Support Coordinator
Angie
Youth Support Coordinator
Wesley Mission
To Whom It May Concern
This is a reference for Sue Spence, facilitator of the 'Horse Whispering Youth Program' Natural Horsemanship Program.
I met Sue at an information training session on animal therapies, where Sue was facilitating an educational class on the 'Horse Whispering Youth Program' Natural Horsemanship Program. Immediately I was impressed with Sue's extensive knowledge of issues affecting young people and the issues facing adolescents on the Gold Coast.
The Youth Support Coordinator Program focuses primarily on working with young people (12-18 years) who are at risk of early disengagement from school. The particular issues that most frequently present with these students are extreme financial difficulties, homelessness, drug and alcohol addictions, serious family trauma including domestic violence, chronic parental illness and ongoing abuse issues.
The 'Horse Whispering Youth Program' Program allows participants an alternative approach to dealing with personal difficulties in a safe and supportive environment. Young people are often resistant to traditional interventions; however this program has provided excellent, positive outcomes based intervention that teaches students self control, emotional empowerment and elevated self esteem.
The students who I have referred to the program from Benowa State High School have demonstrated significant improvement with their self esteem, emotional control, behaviour management and subsequent engagement at school. Their attendance at school since becoming part of the program has increased and their level of confidence has significantly improved.
Sue has a warm and approachable nature that the student's respond positively to. Sue incorporates theoretical knowledge to her teachings to demonstrate how students can learn positive ways of dealing with negative emotions in a more composed, controlled and appropriate manner. Sue has an approach that appeals to the students, providing encouragement, support, and respect to all who work with her. Sue is an exceptional role model to the young people who engage in her program, providing a positive, responsible and energetic approach to her work.
Sue's passion for assisting young people to achieve positive life goals is evident in the work she does. It is with pleasure that I recommend Sue as a professional mentor, role model and program facilitator.
I am more than happy to be contacted for further comment or detail.
Kind Regards,
Angie
Youth Support Coordinator
Wesley Mission
Kerri
Youth Support Coordinator (Gold Coast Region)
Wesley Mission Brisbane
To Whom It May Concern
This letter is in support of Sue Spence and the “Horse Whispering Youth Program” Program. My job is to work with students who are disengaged from (high) school because of social or personal reasons. Part of my role is also to provide early intervention programs. I am currently involved in a second program with Sue. The first one was very successful in not only keeping students engaged in school but in changing behaviours not conducive to learning. Students’ self awareness and self esteem also increased as a result of doing this program.
The success can also be attributed to Sue’s passion not only for the horses but for positive change in the people she works with. Her knowledge, passion and energy are an inspiration.
I completely support Sue in any application to broaden this program as it truly is making a difference.
Yours sincerely
Kerri
Youth Support Coordinator
Elanora & Robina State High Schools
Feedback from Students and their Families:
Before I started natural horsemanship I was a loud, over the top, constantly in your face kind of person. Sue and Mindy (the Shetland pony) have taught me to control my emotions and I have calmed down a lot. Also, by not being so rowdy in class I have got my grades up. (Emma, 15yrs)
Sue, with the help of her horses, is teaching my daughter to understand more about herself and the way she treats others. She has taken what she’s learnt and put it into life situations and has come away a better person for it.
After learning from horses how to treat other people I am much more confident and now stand up for myself. (Emily, 15yrs)
I have seen a marked improvement in my daughter’s social skills, performance at school and a better attitude towards life.
Sue matched me up with 'Yogi' the Shetland pony. I was a bit worried at first as he is strong willed and cheeky but under Sue’s guidance I learned how to stand strong and be assertive with him. She taught me how to relax and control my emotions and as soon as I felt strong and confident Yogi did what I asked… and that made me feel great! (Laura, 16yrs)
Under Sue’s guidance my 16 year old daughter is learning to control her emotions and to be assertive without being aggressive. To watch one's own child move from shy participation to confident self expression is a true pleasure and to see her carry this healthy self respect into her relationships is tremendous.
Sue’s ability to translate horse language into a coaching/mentoring tool has been a life changing experience for me.
To Whom It May Concern
I wish to highly recommend Sue Spence and her Horse Whispering Youth Program. I am a Training & Placement Officer in EPIC Employment's Get Set For Work Program at Southport. Funded by DEEDI, our program works with young people aged 15 - 19 with disabilities who have disengaged or are at risk of disengaging from mainstream education. Many of our young people have experienced bullying and isolation at school, think they are "dumb" and as a result struggle with interpersonal interactions and low self esteem.
Working with Sue has been an invaluable part of our program. Although the group were nervous and inexperienced around horses, Sue's enthusiasm, support and understanding of our young people quickly had them interested, engaged and then succeeding. Watching a young person with ADHD completely focused, calm and gentle with one of Sue's ponies was a revelation to us all. The program taught our young people to recognize how their own (and other's behaviours) impact on the horses, and as a result of this understanding, to be able to relate this recognition to their human interactions.
Sue's enthusiasm even inspired our young people to spend a Friday night at Cabarita to witness world famous "horse whisperer" Guy McLean in action. The final Judging and Presentation day was a wonderful success and our young people were rightly proud of their achievements. Three of the young people in our first group with Sue have now gone onto further training and education (Cert II in Landcare, Cert IV in Live Production, Theatre and Events -Technical Operations, and Cert II in information Technology). I believe that the Horse Whispering Youth program has been a strong catalyst for the positive change in our group members' behaviour and confidence.
Sue is committed to improving the lives of young people in our community, and has been involved in many community events to promote her message, as well as taking on work experience students. She has a wonderful way with both horses and young people, and her passion is inspirational to all who come into contact with her. She is also able to design flexible programs around the needs of the group or individual. I have no hesitation in recommending her program to any clients or service providers.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you require further information. Yours sincerely,
Annie Thomsen-Ajayi
Training & Placement Officer (GSFW)
EPIC Employment Service Inc.
Bart Traynor
Clinical Psychologist MAPS
To Whom It May Concern
As a clinical psychologist working with difficult to engage young people, I am constantly seeking non-traditional, creative approaches that we can utilise to assist young people in need of support. It is well documented that many young people in need of mental health support are unlikely to seek it, and this is particularly true when considering professional mental health support. Sue's program provides one such support that is providing a wonderful bridge that needs to be utilised to close that gap.
I have had the pleasure of watching her group programs as well as incorporating her individual program into the treatment plan of one of my extremely challenging clients. Sue's own knowledge, passion and enthusiasm combined with her charismatic horses, provide a valuable medium for young people to be able to learn essential skills such as emotional regulation, self-confidence and assertiveness. I see Sue's program as being particularly useful for young people who have experienced trauma, suffer from anxiety, as well as those who struggle with attention, concentration, aggression and impulse control.
Yours sincerely
Bart Traynor
Clinical Psychologist
Susie Upton
Bravehearts Inc
We attended the Horse Whispering Youth Program with a small group of our female teenage clients and their feedback from the day was exceptional. The safe, friendly and non-threatening manner in which the day was carried out demonstrates the respect that Sue has for her participants that come for the program. Our clients reported feeling more confident and relaxed in themselves when working with the horses and our staff also noticed a considerable change in their body language, communication and attitude afterwards. We felt that the program had a positive impact with our group, as they learnt even more about themselves whilst connecting with the horses’ behaviours. The program brought out an awareness and understanding of their behaviours and interpersonal communication that can be applied to their daily interactions with others
Tanya Twyford
Complex Needs Project Coordinator
Wesley Mission Brisbane
One case that comes to mind is a young man whose behaviour precluded him from attending school ( running away from school across four lanes of traffic without looking, inappropriate language use towards teachers and peers, inappropriate behaviour towards peers and teachers ), this young person also experiences high levels of anxiety and a diagnosis disability. I was fortunate enough to witness the Horse Whispering Certification Ceremony for this young person and it brought a tear to my eye to see the young person use the "horse whispering" skills that he had learnt in such a small amount of time. The young person was able to calm the horse, make it trot, jump and even lie down.
Following four sessions of Horse Whispering, this young person has returned to school and been able to transfer some of the skills learnt to the world in which the young person lives in. The young person is able to regulate their emotion more easily, has a calmer approach and is developing better coping skills which will enhance the future for this young person. This young person has also learnt the importance of relationships within the family and wider world.
Tanya Twyford
Complex Needs Project Coordinator
Youth At risk lliance
Wesley Mission Brisbane.
KIRRAWE INDIGENOUS CORPORATION
To Whom It May Concern
Kirrawe Indigenous Corporation has an established relationship with the Horse Whispering Youth Program. We have utilised this program on numerous occasions to teach disadvantaged Indigenous youth effective communication and body language skills through interacting with the horses. This program has also been successful in teaching these young people anger and anxiety management skills.
Kirrawe Indigenous Corporation fully supports the Horse Whispering Youth Program and can testify to the positive outcomes achieved for the young people through participating in this program. We will continue to use this program in the future to assist us with our clients.
Kind Regards
Rosemary Norman-Hill
Feedback from Community Youth Workers:
Fantastic tool for young people to learn new personal development skills
Sue is a very approachable, friendly person who relates well to the clients we work with. She is a great representative for this community and her passion for her horses and people she works with is very evident.
The program is a safe, non-confronting way of understanding yourself and your emotions and how they affect yourself and those around you.
Sue's passion is so engaging and really makes this program effective. The horses are the stars but the combination of both explanation and experience will be life changing.
Great opportunity to connect with young people who are unwilling to interact with support professionals.
Good for people young and old to know about yourself so you can be better prepared dealing with emotional reactions.
Found the workshop very useful and relevant for young people in the community.
Provides participants with an opportunity for experimental learning where they can grow personally.
Gives an opportunity for people to make positive change in their life that is invaluable.
I am writing on behalf of all the staff at Nortec Employment and Training Services, to demonstrate our appreciation and support to Sue Spence and Horse Whispering Youth Program, for a wonderful, innovative and inspiring program that helps many of our clients achieve milestones and goals in regards to personal communication, confidence, interpersonal relationships and control over their emotions. We consider Horse Whispering Youth Program integral tool to achieving positive outcomes for our clients.
Isabel, Youth Connections Caseworker.
Sue has a gift of intuitively knowing what may be hindering your ability to communicate effectively. A truly life changing experience. J. Goode BSc Counselling & Communication
Suzanne has the ability to morph concern and anxiety into trust and comfort. She does so without any disruption to personal boundaries. This is a developed skill and one I witnessed in only a small number of health professionals. A Spencer. Director Gold Coast Eating Disorder Association Solutions) BsacSc NLP Master