For Glenn Magargee, helping at-risk youth succeed in making lifestyle changes is more than a way of life.  It’s a passion.

Magargee works with kids who struggle to find a place in society through an alternative approach, equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP).  As founder of the Mustard Seed Society, Magargee uses horses to encourage kids in ways that changes their thinking and helps them develop positive behavior patterns.

“I sort of fell into this,” Magargee said.  “I went back to school to get a license in professional counseling and did a lot of work in DHR.  I always wished I could take kids home with me and spend quality time with them.” Magargee says EAP allows her to spend quality time working with kids.

The court adjudicates 90 percent of kids who participate in EAP at Mustard Seed.  EAP is deemed as outpatient therapy.  Mustard Seed works with kids from surrounding counties like Talladega, Calhoun, Claybourne and Etowah.

“As a nonprofit we would like to see our work grow, and get to help some kids in the Birmingham area,” Magargee said.

Kids come year-round from the St. Clair County Day Program, Coosa Valley Youth Services and Pell City High School.

“This past year was our first year to work with kids from the high school,” Magargee said.  “We worked with ninth graders.  The kids are anxious to come back next year.”  The principal has told Magargee that kids grades came up exponentially after participating in the program.

“Kids develop character and problem-solving skills.  They realize they have value, potential and that they have a purpose.  They realize there is a reason they are here.”

During the eight-week program, kids participate in exercises and games like the teepee shuffle, pasture roundup and ropes courses with the horses that teach them how to work together and learn that actions have consequences, both positive and negative.  The program addresses issues including: conflict resolution, drug and alcohol addictions, behavior modification, anger management and life skill training in a safe, therapeutic, Christian environment.  The program incorporates and encourages parental participation.

“As a reward kids get to ride the horses during their last session,” Magargee said.

Horses are used to treat psychotherapy because they respond to a person’s behavior in the same way a person does, but horses are more honest in their responses.  A horse does not give love and acceptance until the patient reciprocates with respect and love for the horse.

“That is a key part of the therapy,” Magargee said.

Brian Tweed, a professional horseman and licensed professional counselor also works with the kids at Mustard Seeds.

“He is so patient and so laid back.  He sticks with it until he gets the response he wants from the kids and the horses,” Magargee said.  “We love seeing the healing that takes place in these kids.”

Magargee hopes Mustard Seed will grow into a residential program.  For more information or to get involved the Mustard Seed Society, contact Glenn Magargee: 205-913-0628, glennmagargee@yahoo.com.