NEOGA - Camp New Hope will welcome a four-legged therapist next year.

A filly named Nala will be part of an equestrian therapy program at the rural facility, which helps developmentally disabled people in the area. The dark bay horse was bred for racing, but a disability ended that opportunity, said Melanie Walk of Pine Ridge Ranch, between Neoga and Toledo.

"We plan to introduce Nala to Camp New Hope in January. We're in a partnership with Camp New Hope to provide her for her therapeutic values to the kids out there," Walk said.

Sessions with Nala can help people with disabilities improve their self-esteem, emotional control and balance, as well as offer other benefits, Walk said. A first step for the Camp New Hope participants is making friends with the horse.

"Interaction between horses and humans can help in so many ways. They can do it riding the horse or on the ground. We expect much of this might be on the ground," Walk said.

Nala stands 16 hands high and has thoroughbred features. She was donated by an area resident, who thought Camp New Hope could benefit from the horse, through Pine Ridge Ranch.

The mix seems natural because Camp New Hope, by Lake Mattoon near Neoga, has a rural setting to provide recreation to children and adults with developmental disabilities.

"All programs will be closely supervised. People shouldn't worry about safety," Walk said.

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