GAIL WHITE Horses carry the disabled beyond their limitations

Nearly 20 years ago, Karen Kanotz of Canfield was the director of a summer camp for children with orthopedic disabilities.
One day, horses were brought to the camp for the children to ride. Karen stood in disbelief as children with every kind of disability rode.
"To see their faces on the horses that day ...," Karen recalls.
She never forgot those faces.
As coordinator of Special Services for Struthers City Schools, Karen met Dawn Speece of Berlin Center, a physical therapist for Mahoning County Educational Service Center.
The two became friends. Their work and mutual love for special-needs children brought them to the subject of the children on horses so many years ago.
Coincidences
During one conversation, Dawn mentioned her friend Ginger who owns a horse.
Ginger turned out to be Ginger Bulkley of Canfield, Karen's good friend from high school.
As the three women marveled at the coincidences that brought them together, Ginger introduced her friends to a woman who boarded her horse at the same stable as Ginger's horse.
It came as no surprise that Debbie Zarlenga of Canfield had a heart for special-needs children and a horse as gentle as an angel.
"We were all at the right point in our lives," Karen says. "And we were all at the right place at the right time."
"Karen and Dawn have the background with the kids," Debbie says, marveling at the perfect unity of the women. "Ginger and I have the background with the horses."
The ladies spent many nights sitting around a table, talking of their dream to begin a therapeutic riding center for people with special needs.
When the ladies rose from the table for the last time, On Angels' Wings was born.
"We can't even find a table now," says Dawn, standing in the crowded stables in Canfield.
Rapid growth
In less than a year, On Angels' Wings has outgrown its facility and has a waiting list for its services.
"A local businessman, Jim Centofanti, has bought and donated seven acres of land for the program," Debbie explains. "We are now in the process of raising money for a stable, turnout area and a heated indoor arena."
While the growth of the program is more than these four ladies could have hoped for, the impact of the therapeutic riding is every bit as wonderful as they had dreamed it would be.
Looking around the stables, with volunteers and instructors buzzing about, I reflect on the name of the organization. I can't decide who the angels are.
Certainly, Karen, Dawn, Ginger and Debbie are angels with special wings of purpose and love.
The gentle majestic horses seem angelic as they gracefully carry their precious cargo.
Riders
Yet, atop each horse sits a rider with a smile so wonderfully exhilarating, surely they are angels themselves.
Anthony Hartwig, 10, of North Lima puts down his crutches when he sits on his horse.
Cerebral palsy has no domain as he holds the reins and steers. The pride he feels glows on his face.
Twelve-year-old Marlana McTigue of Springfield is a picture of strength sitting in her saddle.
Early-childhood seizures left Marlana developmentally delayed with weak muscle tone. But her horse never notices her frailties as she nudges its sides with her feet.
Dale Brown, 36, of Canfield quietly rides his horse like a professional.
He has been riding horses since he was 2. Twelve years ago, he was hit by a train and suffered brain damage. Since then his words have been trapped inside his head.
But there is no need for words when you see the smile on his face.
From the "coincidental" beginning of this program to the phenomenal results it produces, it truly is riding On Angels' Wings.
gwhite@vindy.com
XOn Angels' Wings will conduct a wine and cheese fund-raising event Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Mill Creek Farm on Route 46 in Canfield.