Pablo and Elena Cooper have pulled up the reins, unsaddled and sent the all-volunteer Pasos Milagrosos equine therapy program out to pasture after seven years of dedicated service in helping local children overcome disabilities.
After suspending the program several months ago, the Coopers have now completed the final steps in closing down the non-profit organization, wrapping up financial accounts and disbursing remaining assets to two charitable organizations devoted to the shared aim of coming to the aid of families in need.
The chosen beneficiaries are Niños Incapacitados del Lago and Tepehua Centro Comunitario. Each of the registered non-profit civil associations received a check for 26,440 pesos.Like the equine therapy program, Niños Incapacitados specifically assists children dealing with disabilities and health ailments. The Tepehua Center provides diverse educational and health services to needy families living in Chapala’s most impoverished neighborhood.
The Coopers started up Pasos Milagrosos – meaning miraculous steps – on something of a whim not long after they bought a pair of horses to take up riding as a retirement activity. They loved the new pastime, but also felt a yearning to devote some of their free time to a worthy endeavor. “We thought this is all very nice, but how can we help the community?” Pablo recalls.
It was his idea to venture into equine therapy. His wife had trepidations. They were still green equestrians themselves and had no prior experience in working with the handicapped. But something compelled them to forge ahead anyway, doing months of extensive research on the topic and eventually hooking up with Juntos por Caminar, a well-established Guadalajara equine therapy program, to get initial guidance and practice technique.
They then enlisted the vet Carlos Gorozpe to come out from the city to help them fully learn the ropes with their own horses. After four months of training he set them loose, telling them, “You know all you need to know. From here on out it’s all about creative thinking.”
They recruited friends, neighbors and some other equestrians to sign on as volunteers. Niños Incapacitados family coordinator Margarita Maldonado became their liaison to patients and their families.
They started out with six kids, working out with simple exercises on horseback, practiced on Saturday mornings in the corral at the back of their San Nicolas de Ibarra home. “After that it kind of snowballed,” Elena says. Through word of mouth the program soon filled to full capacity of 20 patients battling debilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s syndrome and delayed psychomotor development.
The children seemed to thrive on the physical contact with the horses and the rhythm of their movements. The Coopers and their team of assistants were rewarded by witnessing the youngsters show steady improvement in their physical and emotional well-being. They also bonded with the children’s parents and siblings, becoming a united family devoted to a common cause.
Heart-warming success stories abound. There was Juanito, a victim of water on the brain who was so totally helpless when he came to Pasos at age three that his father had to hold him up through every activity. Now 10, the boy has progressed from learning to balance by himself, to gaining the ability to talk, walk and run.
The changes in Angel, who suffers from autism, have been more subtle. Elena notes: “We were ready to give up on him when Margarita pointed out his truly amazing transformation from a boy who could not tolerate being touched to one who now gives out hugs and kisses.”
Over the past year the Coopers saw signs that the time had come to call it quits. One of their horses died and the others were aging. The couple faced health challenges of their own. The launch of the Pepe Martinez Nuevos Pasos Equine Therapy Center, supported by DIF Chapala, was the clincher. They realized they could comfortably bow out, knowing they would not have to leave the Pasos clan in the lurch.
At the end of their great ride with Pasos, the Coopers are satisfied with the program’s accomplishments and cherish the lasting friendships it engendered. By the same token, they relish now having the freedom to mount up and take their trusty steeds out for a spin whenever they please.
Happy trails!