Animal Saviors: Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship

Kim Scheffer grooms the mane of a horse before a therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Leigh Anne Statler, the Tuesday night instructor at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship, helps Nate Prichard, 5, mount his horse to begin his lesson Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jacob Unterreiner, 16, is assisted by Varina Luttrull in preparing to mount his horse before his session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jacob Unterreiner, 16, sits on his horse before the start of his lesson at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Nate Prichard, 5, focuses on turning his horse, while Darla Mangels sidewalks, during his lesson at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Students sit on their horses while instructors and sidewalkers stand next to them during a Tuesday night lesson at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Ariel Jennings helps Amelia Luttrull, 9, place an ornament on a Christmas tree during an exercise during a Tuesday night session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Leigh Anne Statler, right, shares a moment with student Nate Prichard, 5, during his lesson at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Leigh Anne Statler, right, shares a moment with student Nate Prichard, 5, during his lesson at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Arial Jennings, left, takes an ornament handed to her by Amelia Luttrull, 9, during a lesson exercise at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kim Scheffer helps Amelia Luttrull, 9, take the lead of her horse after finishing a group lesson at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Leigh Anne Statler holds Nate Prichard, 5, as she puts his shoe back on after a riding session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Volunteers help position Kristen Canter on a horse before a therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kristen Canter holds on to the saddle as she is lowered and positioned onto her therapy horse in preparation of an equine therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kristen Canter holds on to the saddle as she is positioned onto her therapy horse with the help of Leigh Anne Statler, top right, and MVTH volunteers in preparation of an equine therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kristen Canter laughs and holds on to the saddle as she is positioned onto her therapy horse with the help of Leigh Anne Statler, top right, and MVTH volunteers in preparation of an equine therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Becki Nation, center, is lifted out of her wheelchair in preparation to be positioned on her therapy horse with the assistance of Leigh Anne Statler, left, and her mom Margie Nation, right, during a therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Becki Nation, center, is lifted out of her wheelchair in preparation to be positioned on her therapy horse with the assistance of Leigh Anne Statler, right, and her mom Margie Nation, left, during a therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

The bottom of Becki Nation's boot is seen to read "ANDY," referencing Toy Story, as she is lifted out of her wheelchair and onto her therapy horse at the beginning of a therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Leigh Anne Statler adjusts Becki Nation's leg as she is situated on her therapy horse to begin a session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Leigh Anne Statler massages Becki Nation's right hand in a way to help her grasp the reins of her therapy horse before beginning a session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kristen Eversgerd, center, and Kim Scheffer, front, help support Kristen Canter during a therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Kristen Canter shares a moment with her therapy horse at the end of her session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Becki Nation laughs while being positioned on her horse with the assistance of Lindsey Surface before the start of a therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Becki Nation shares a moment with her horse after a therapy session at Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, in Oak Ridge. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)