Thomas is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder complicated with opposition behaviors. His family had tried involving him in a variety of team building experiences including soccer.... These activities, and his school experiences, were frustrating to Thomas.

"Most traditional learning experiences are first lecture, a one direction transfer of information, then quiet time for practice, which is non-directional. This approach is confusing to children with Attention Deficit Disorder. They experience overload during the lecture phase and miss a lot of what is being offered. Then when they are supposed to be using this information they do not have it," says ADVANTAGE RANCH Executive Director, Deb Dyer. "Horses, as teachers, send little bits of information at a time. The child processes the information immediately and converts it to experience. Every stride information is passed back and forth between the horse and the child in a constant stimuli and response cycle. This works for children with learning disabilities because it is bi-directional communication. Whereas traditional education methods leave ADD children feeling frustrated, a correctly designed horse program will help them learn to achieve."

Working with horses has sure worked for Thomas. The boy who could not control his frustration or his behaviors on the soccer field has enough control over his horse to ride well, to assist in teaching others, and to compete in recreational shows. His whole family was on hand when just 16 months after starting with ADVANTAGE RANCH Thomas won his first blue ribbon. More important to Thomas, and his family, is that Thomas now believes he is a winner in life.