Therapeutic Riding Center
Freedom Academy completed its second year partnering with Southwest Metro Intermediate District and Watertown-Mayer Dristrict 111. We also proudly graduated two students this year and wish them well on their next endeavors.
The Classroom is complete! This project began in September and is now finished. It is used daily by our Freedom Academy students and our veterans.
Thank you to each individual and business that made this much needed dream come true.
Before attending Freedom Academy, I was unable to attend school. My PTSD had gotten so bad I had to be hospitalized multiple times. I was not able to leave the house or think of going to school. The opportunity to work with the horses helps me more than I can say. In the past, I have participated in talk therapy and it never worked for me and medication was not the answer for me. I have finally found a place that makes a difference. I realize I have only been at Freedom Academy for a short time, but I feel I have a chance to heal here. Freedom Academy can’t magically cure my illness, but finally I found a program that will help me.
~ Freedom Academy Student
Since coming to Freedom Academy, I have learned a lot about myself that I never knew. I am great with horses, and I am extremely caring. My teachers, Mrs. Slack and Karl have taught me to look at the world in a new light and live life in a positive way. One day I hope to take all the knowledge I have received from these wonderful people and use it to grow into a kind and mature man. I plan to join the U.S. Army. I pray my teachers never retire, because there are kids in the world who need teachers who are kind, caring and loving. I also hope Susie never stops helping kids succeed with horses. I have learned so much from her. The first time I met Susie I received nothing but kindness, love and respect from the most amazing woman ever!!!! In conclusion I am proud to call Freedom Academy home.
Freedom Academy Student: Malik
There are so many things that I love about Freedom Academy and Freedom Farm. The barn in general is one of my favorite things. I love all the animals, especially the horses. I really like Susie and the volunteers, they make the whole experience better. We do so much at the barn; riding, lunging, work with goats and chores. I just love helping out so much. It is a fun environment for me, especially when I get to work with my peers. I love Freedom Academy and the teachers, Mrs. Slack and Karl, as well as our Para, Kylee. They are amazing, considerate, kind and loving towards all the students. I like going to school there, they make school feel like home. The students are all very cool and nice. It is so fascinating to see all their personalities and how we all work together. I am able to socialize well with everyone. This is good, because I was not able to do that at my old school. Mrs. Slack teaches class as project based learning, which is right up my alley. I have the best grades that I have had in years because of the way they teach and how supportive all the teachers are. It is so relaxing to be here. I am so blessed to be able to come here, it makes me so happy.
Freedom Academy Student: Eli R.
I love going to Freedom Academy because I love being in the country, enjoying nature and having the farm dog, Marley, in class. The teachers here are very caring. The staff at the school, barn and volunteers are all so loving, caring and understanding of me. At the barn, the horses are very calming. If I have a rough day, they take my stress away. Before I came here I had a fear of large animals. Now, I love learning about the horses and getting to work with my horse Dakota. Freedom Academy has impacted my life.
Freedom Academy Student: Connor K.
Freedom Academy is like a second home to me. My peers and my staff and I are all kind of a family. I love making them smile and laugh every day. I love them all a lot, we are all a team that works good together to reach each our goals in being successful. My favorite part of the day is seeing my horse Rebel. He is so special to me. I love him a lot because he makes me smile. I love Freedom Academy!
Freedom Academy Student: Madison
I like Freedom Academy because it’s a small work environment and everybody appreciates everyone else. We all get treated with respect and nothing less. The teachers here are really nice. My favorite thing to do is to go to the barn, you really never know what’s going to happen or what your horse is going to do but at the end of the class we all had a great time with the horses. I believe the horses really help people with their problems and issues. If or when I need help, the teachers are right there to help me. My day goes by faster than it would anywhere else and it’s nice to talk to someone without getting in trouble.
Freedom Academy Student: Dillon
I definitely like Freedom Academy better than my last school. The class size is a lot smaller and the teachers and students are really nice. I don’t have a long bus ride or have to ride with a lot of people. We have a chance to get our work done in school, so we don’t have homework. I really like to work with the horses and learn new things. Roping and learning how to ride by yourself are really fun. We learn how to build connection between you and your horse by free-lunging and walking your horse through an obstacle course.
Freedom Academy Student: Wayne K.