The new and massive Wiregrass Sports Complex behind Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, which boasts more than 100,000-sq.-ft. of playing area and a new Marriott-branded Residence Inn hotel, has grabbed all the headlines the past few years.
Meanwhile, Pasco County is getting ready to seek bids to build a smaller indoor facility at the Wesley Chapel District Park (WCDP), which is located at 7727 Boyette Rd. near Overpass Rd.
According to Pasco County District 2 commissioner Mike Moore, bids will be sought to design and construct a facility to host indoor basketball and volleyball and other gym events, as well as additional activity rooms for the public to host meetings or even card games and crafts.
The approximately 13,000-sq.-ft. indoor recreation facility will be similar to the Land OâLakes recreation center on Collier Pkwy., which is built on 79 acres of land and offers not only indoor sports, but outside offerings like tennis, soccer and even swimming.
The county has allocated $2.5-million towards the Wesley Chapel project, although Moore said he is unsure it will even cost that match. The money, he says, comes from developer impact fees, and âwill not be a tax burden on everyday citizens.â
The funding was approved in Pasco Countyâs Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget.
The WCDP is much larger than the Land OâLakes complex, with 143 acres and several lighted athletic fields for soccer, football and baseball. WCDP also has lacrosse fields, which have hosted the national DICKâs Lacrosse Championships for years, as well as three tennis courts, four basketball courts and grass fields for a variety of sports.
The Wesley Chapel Athletic Association (WCAA) runs leagues for most sports at the WCDP, including basketball, which plays on the outdoor courts.
But, Floridaâs funky summer weather can wreak havoc on youth sports schedules.
âHaving the ability to play basketball or any sport inside will be a big deal, especially during the summer when it gets so hot,â Comm. Moore says.
An indoor facility will allow the WCAA to add other sports, like volleyball, which is difficult to play outdoors, and other sports that require indoor accommodations, like gymnastics.
Moore also says the indoor facility will give local residents a place to gather, for weekly meetings, exercise classes or even parties. He says he has heard from a number of residents who think there is a need for such a facility.
Moore said there has been talk of a Wesley Chapel recreation center for years, but it âjust kind of went away.â
He said he decided to pick it back up because he continues to hear requests for it.
A new Pasco County recreation center at the park may end up being more useful to local sports enthusiasts than the Wiregrass Sports Complex being built by RADD Sports.
The Wiregrass complex is expected to be booked for basketball, volleyball, pickleball and gymnastics tournaments most weekends, although there will be Monday-Thursday access for locals, according to RADD Sports, which is developing that facility.
Matt McDermott is the new principal at Wesley Chapel High (WCH), replacing Dee Dee Johnson.
Johnson was selected to take over as principal at Pasco Middle School, where former principal Jeff Wolff was removed in September amid concerns about low teacher morale at the middle school in Dade City.
âIâm super excited,â McDermott says. âIâve lived in the community since about 2000, and I was briefly an assistant principal there from 2009-2010, before I opened Fivay High (in Hudson).â
Some of the young Wildcats approve.
âThe kids who live in my neighborhood have been by to say congratulations and tell me theyâre excited to have me as their principal,â McDermott says.
McDermott has worked for Pasco County Schools since 1996 and has been a teacher, coach, athletic director and school administrator. He started as an AP environmental science and biology honors teacher and football and wrestling coach, and became the athletic director at Sunlake High in 2007 before a brief stay as assistant principal at WCH in 2009. He helped open Fivay in 2010, and returned to Zephyrhills as an assistant principal in 2015.
This is McDermottâs first appointment as a principal.
âYou always think youâre ready to be a principal,â McDermott says. âI have good mentors and people I can reach out to if I need something. Iâve been in the principal pool for a while and prefer the southeast part of the county because thatâs where I live. This is one of my dream jobs and Iâm excited to be given the opportunity.â
Judy Choinski is a parent of two students at WCH, and a member of its School Advisory Committee (SAC). She says sheâs happy for Johnson, the schoolâs now-former principal. âItâs a huge compliment to her that she was chosen to bring [Pasco Middle] back up to where it needs to be,â Choinski says. âSheâs going to turn that school around.â
Choinski acknowledges that thereâs disappointment in losing Johnson, and in having yet another new principal. But, she says there is just as much excitement about McDermott.
âHis reputation is really good,â she says. âSome parents and teachers I talked to said they were hoping he would be selected, that he would be the perfect fit for Chapel.â
At our press time, McDermott had been recommended as principal by Pasco School Superintendent Kurt Browning and was expected to be approved by the School Board on October 16, with a start date of October 17.
âItâs a win-win for everybody,â Choinski adds. âHopefully, everything will stay solid for a while.â
Good As Gold
At a Pasco County School Board meeting on Oct. 2, Browning and members of the Board were presented with the Florida Healthy School District Gold Flag by Florida Action for Healthy Kids.
The county received the Gold Flag âfor establishing a culture and climate in which students and staff can reach their personal potential and for continuing to serve as a leader in the state in reducing and eliminating the barriers to learning, resulting in increased academic achievement.â
Pasco County Schools earned the Silver award in 2016, but this year is its first-ever gold. The district will hold the Gold award designation through 2020.
To earn the Gold designation, the district demonstrated high scores in areas like creating a healthy school environment, contributing to employee wellness and excellence in counseling, psychological and social services and health education.
The Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools is a grassroots partnership that advocates for school health issues and recognizes excellence among Florida school districts.
PTAs Honored Nationally
Double Branch Elementary and John Long Middle School have both earned recognition as a National PTA (Parent Teacher Association) âSchool of Excellence,â with a designation that lasts from 2018-20.
The National PTA School of Excellence recognition program âsupports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students,â according to the National PTA website.
Schools apply to be recognized, then complete a series of steps designed to improve relationships between schools and families, which are individual to each school. If they meet their goal, they earn the designation.
In addition, the county-wide Pasco County Council of PTAs (PCCPTA) was recognized for having the highest increase of membership in Florida for the 2017-18 school year. PCCPTA representatives Mahalia Surin, Denise Nicholas and Andria Roscart presented the trophy they received to Pasco School Board chair Cynthia Armstrong and Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning (photo above).
Teachers Wanted
Want to work as a teacher in Wesley Chapel? Pasco County Schools will host a fall instructional job fair on Wednesday, November 14, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., at Sunlake High in Land OâLakes.
The district is looking for teachers in math, science, emotional and behavioral disorders/autism spectrum disorders (EBD/ASD), exceptional student education (ESE) and elementary education. They also have openings for guest teachers, behavioral analysts and school nurses.
All education interns, teachers, student services employees, and those who have a Bachelorâs degree and are interested in becoming certified educators are invited to attend. Applicants can meet with administrators and hiring managers for on-the-spot interviews and job offers.
Anyone interested in attending should register at https://pascofalljobfair2018.eventbrite.com, visit http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/hreq/ or contact work@pasco.k12.fl.us.
Former Wiregrass Ranch High girls basketball standout Stephanie Brower, a 2017 walk-on at the University of Florida, reacts with her teammates to being told by the Gators womenâs basketball coach Cam Newbauer that she had earned a scholarship for this season. (Photo: Screengrab, UF video)
Former Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) girls basketball player Stephanie Brower was never one of the most recruited players in Pasco County. But, she was always one of the hardest working and, after one season as a walk-on at the University of Florida, it is probably no surprise that, well, she no longer is a walk-on.
On Oct. 8, Brower received the surprise of a lifetime when, surrounded by her teammates, she was told by Gators head coach Cam Newbauer that she had officially earned a scholarship.
Brower could only cover her mouth in shock as her face slowly turned red with tears. Her teammates mobbed her in celebration.
The Gators team had gathered at the Delta Zeta house, which is Browerâs sorority, under the guise of promoting the team and drumming up attendance by inviting the sorority sisters to come to games this season.
After Newbauer made his pitch to support his team, Brower took the floor to loud cheers. Newbauer then interrupted.
âCome on now, how loud do you cheer for a Delta Zeta?,â he asked a gathering of about 50 sisters, which then erupted into even louder cheering.
After they stopped, Newbauer continued: âHow loud would you cheer for a Delta Zeta…that earned a scholarship?â
Brower covered her heart with her hands — âOh my God, are you serious?â — and then covered her face as her teammates jumped into the celebration.
It was the second time this summer that Newbauer surprised one of the Gators with a scholarship. Brower joined Corey Staples, who was surprised with a scholarship after a carefully orchestrated scavenger hunt.
âItâs been really cool for me to see Stephâs growth and development,â Newbauer says. âWhen I was coaching at Belmont (University) she actually came out to our elite camp and was really interested, but at the time we didnât have any scholarships available or room on our roster. Then when I got here to Florida, she reached out about a walk-on opportunity. I was really excited to hear from her because I remembered how hard she played. She will do anything to add value to the team.â
Brower, a 2017 WRH grad, averaged 15.1 points and 10.5 rebounds as a 5-foot-11 guard. She led the Bulls to the schoolâs first district title in 2016, surpassing the 1,000-point career mark with a 15-point, 16-rebound performance in a 59-47 district championship win over Freedom.
Brower finished her Wiregrass Ranch career with 1,493 points. 1,059 rebounds and 514 assists.
She walked on at Florida on Dec. 12, 2017, appearing in six of 30 games during the 2017-18 season, including four Southeastern Conference games. She played 24 of her 45 minutes against No. 15 Tennessee in February, scoring 2 points with three assists, two rebounds and a steal.
New Tampa Plastic Surgery, a premier cosmetic surgery âboutique,â has been helping New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents look and feel their best since 2011.
Specializing in the aesthetic plastic surgery of the face, breasts and body, Board-certified plastic surgeon Peter Fakhre, M.D., rejuvenates and enhances the natural beauty of his patients with the latest cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Dr. Fakhre also has been named one of the top doctors in the country by Vitals.com (a medical review forum for consumers). According to the website, Dr. Fakhre was named a âVitals Top 10 Doctor.â Of more than 870,000 doctors nationwide, Dr. Fakhre has been recognized as being in the top one percent, of all physicians, as determined by patient ratings.
Located in the Windfair Professional Park off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC), New Tampa Plastic Surgery sees patients from all across Pasco and Hillsborough counties.
And soon, youâll be able to check out Dr. Fakhreâs new office at 2525 Cypress Ridge Blvd, behind the Mercedes dealership off S.R. 56. It is set to open in early 2019.
Dr. Fakhre and his staff help everyone who walks through their doors feel welcome; their primary goal is to make the patient feel comfortable while exploring his or her best options for plastic or reconstructive surgery (as well as non-surgical alternatives, in some cases) in a professional and confidential environment.
You can see the results of Dr. Fakhreâs work when you visit NewTampaPlasticSurgery.com. Although his work definitely speaks for itself, he also is highly recommended by his patients.
In a physician review on Vitals.com, Dr. Fakhreâs patient Jane Gibbons said, âPlastic surgery? More accurately â Surgical Artistry! Dr. Fakhre is a master of his craft. He not only is an accomplished surgeon, (he also) is a man of integrity who listens, counsels and guides his patients toward the goals they are seeking. (He) then satisfies those goals with skill and precision!â
She continues, âDr. Fakhre works with his patients to determine the best surgical and non-surgical options that will achieve the desired outcome. As a bonus, his office staff is compassionate, efficient and shares his philosophy that everyone deserves to look their best. Unquestionably, Dr. Fakhre is the best that Tampa Bay has to offer!â
Dr. Fakhre, who is one of the few plastic surgeons in the Tampa Bay area to be double-Board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and by the American Board of Surgery, explains, âThere are many things that are important in achieving successful outcomes in plastic surgery: an understanding of the patientâs desires, their physical examination, realistic goals, sound surgical technique, attention to detail and outstanding postoperative care, all of which contribute to success in cosmetic plastic surgery.â
He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, graduating summa cum laude. He then elected to attend the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. It was while he was at U-F that Dr. Fakhreâs surgical talent, aesthetic eye and love for plastic surgery were realized.
Dr. Fakhre then completed a general surgery residency at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, where he scored in the 98th percentile in the American Board of Surgery in Training Exam, the highest among all of the residents in his program.
He was involved with numerous publications and research projects, which have been presented at a number of scientific meetings, including the distinguished American Society of Plastic Surgeons. During his surgical training, Dr. Fakhre was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award by the Mayo Clinic Medical School and served as Chief Resident in Surgery in his final year of surgical training.
Dr. Fakhre was then privileged to match at his first choice of Plastic Surgery fellowship programs at the prestigious Methodist Hospital, where he again excelled, scoring the highest in-service exam score among all plastic surgery residents in his program and serving as Chief Resident during his final year of plastic surgery training.
âI had the wonderful opportunity to train with members of the original group of plastic surgeons that invented the breast implant, as well as facial and body plastic surgeons whose surgeries have been featured on The Discovery Channel,â Dr. Fakhre says. âWorking in such an environment provided great exposure to a large volume of both primary and revision cosmetic surgery cases. This experience was priceless and Iâm happy to bring this type of training to the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area.â
This training and his own expertise helped Dr. Fakhre earn the highest score possible, in the 99th percentile among Plastic Surgeons in plastic surgery of the breast, on the American Board of Plastic Surgery written examination.
Dr. Fakhre says that he was happy to return to the Tampa Bay area after his training and currently lives in Seven Oaks with his wife of 15 years and three sons, who keep them busy and entertained.
So Many Surgical Options So many of us have things we would like to change about our bodies. Time, age and weight changes all take a toll on the body and these factors can affect your appearance and self-image. Dr. Fakhre says that cosmetic plastic surgery is a way to help you look and feel better. âWhen we are happy with our appearance, we feel more confident,â he says.
New Tampa Plastic Surgery offers a plethora of cosmetic surgery procedures for women and men, including breast enhancement (augmentations, lifts and reductions), tummy tucks, face and neck lifts, eyelid surgery, liposuction and more. Known for his technical skill, eye for beauty and superior aesthetic practice, Dr. Fakhre will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to achieve your desired outcome and to make the ânew youâ a reality.
âCosmetic plastic surgery allows the surgeon to combine artistry with sound surgical techniques to produce superior results,â says Dr. Fakhre.
Breasts, for instance, are often at the core of a womanâs femininity and self-confidence. Dr. Fakhre explains that breast surgery is one of the most personal decisions a woman can make. âBreast augmentation surgery can increase your self-confidence and satisfaction with your body,â says Dr. Fakhre. âBy increasing or restoring breast volume, we can help our patients achieve a better-proportioned body.â
Dr. Fakhreâs breast augmentation patients are first educated about implant size and types, so they can make informed decisions about which would best satisfy their personal goals. He says that the two main implant types available are still silicone and saline and that the implant selected depends upon a variety of factors.
Currently, the most common implants that Dr. Fakhre uses are silicone implants, which he says look and feel more natural than their saline counterparts.
Breast lift surgery removes excess tissue and repositions the breast and/or nipple to a more youthful position. This procedure is often chosen by women desiring to restore form to their breasts or reclaim their âbefore-babyâ appearance. And, although breasts are intertwined with the feminine profile, women are not the only ones who have breast surgery. In fact, Dr. Fakhre says that he has helped many men feel better about their appearance with reduction surgery for men with female-looking breasts (also known as gynecomastia).
Liposuction, âMommy Makeoversâ & More Another popular cosmetic surgical procedure at New Tampa Plastic Surgery is liposuction, which can improve the bodyâs contour by removing fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction restores proportionality and minimizes problem areas. Dr. Fakhre says that if you find yourself shopping for clothes to hold your tummy in or help slim your thighs, liposuction may be your answer. He adds that liposuction offers significant results with minimal downtime.
âIn fact, many (liposuction) patients recover over a weekend and return to work on Monday,â he says. A full âMommy Makeoverâ also is a popular procedure sought by women who want to get back to the body they had before they had children. Dr. Fakhre says that the most common âMommy Makeoverâ combines a breast lift (with or without breast augmentation for reshaping), a tummy tuck to tighten the midsection that was stretched during pregnancy and liposuction to remove unwanted fat deposits.
Dr. Fakhre, who also has surgical privileges at Florida Hospital Tampa and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, says that he performs most of his surgeries at Tampa Bay Surgery Center, located at the corner of Dale Mabry and Fletcher Avenue, although he adds that he does perform minor procedures in his office as well. Wherever he performs his artistry, however, his satisfied patients are a testament to his experience and training.
âFrom the moment I walked through the door in his office I was always greeted on a first-name basis, which made me feel like I wasnât just another patient to get in and out,â Christina Vargas wrote in her patient testimonial about her experience with New Tampa Plastic Surgery. âThe whole process â from scheduling my appointments to the day of the procedure, even my recovery â went so smoothly. I highly recommend Dr. Fakhre. I give him 10 stars!â
Non-Surgical Options, Too New Tampa Plastic Surgery also is a true cosmetic boutique, offering skin care and other non-surgical cosmetic procedures, in addition to plastic surgery. Many of these non-surgical procedures â such as Botox and dermal fillers, Latisse eyelash lengthening and thickening and chemical peels that rejuvenate and energize the skin to beautify your natural state and more â often provide the results a patient is looking for, and are less âinvasiveâ than surgical options.
Board-certified nurse practitioner Christina Ahrens (in photo on previous page, with Dr. Fakhre) has more than 12 years of experience in dermatology and plastic surgery and performs all of the non-surgical procedures at New Tampa Plastic Surgery.
âWe are fortunate to have Christina as part of our team,â says Dr. Fakhre. âShe does an outstanding job in the treatment of our patients.â
For your free cosmetic surgery consultation with Dr. Peter Fakhre, call New Tampa Plastic Surgery at (813) PLASTIC (752-7842). The office is located at 2541 Windguard Cir. For a full menu of services, visit NewTampaPlasticSurgery.com. And, be sure to check out the ad on page 13 of this issue and âLikeâ New Tampa Plastic Surgeryâs Facebook.com page so that you can be notified of the officeâs monthly promotions on various services.
At 11 years old, Sarah Clanton is finally learning to walk, thanks to the help of the special horses and people at Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center in Brooksville.
Sarah was adopted from an orphanage in Ukraine when she was five. At just 19 pounds, she had been kept in a bed all her life. Her mom, Yvonne, says she could barely sit up.
Yvonne and her husband, Jon, began helping Sarah in all the ways they could, including physical therapy, to help her learn to walk.
While Sarah has special needs, including blindness and other conditions, doctors could find no reason physically why she wouldnât be able to walk.
âThereâs no muscular or neurological reason she canât walk,â Yvonne says. âItâs just that sheâs missing all those milestones and all those years of development, and her brain just doesnât have ability to put it together.â
Earlier this year, Yvonne decided to take a chance on something different. Itâs called hippotherapy, and it uses the movements of a horse to help people like Sarah. Yvonne had heard about a place called Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center, so she decided to try it out.
âI did this just for the heck of it,â says Yvonne. âI didnât really expect it to work.â
But, it has.
âItâs amazing,â says Yvonne. âWe can walk with her now, just by holding one hand. Before, most of the time we just carried her â even around the house â because it was just easier.â
Yvonne and Jon have four other children. Of their five kids, three have some sort of disability, and their son, Sam, also benefits from hippotherapy at Emerald M. Of all the therapies her kids have experienced, says Yvonne, âNothing has ever been as dramatic the change weâve seen in Sarah.â
Lisa Michelangelo
(To purchase tickets to its Grand Opening Fundraiser on Saturday, October 20, 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., visit EmeraldMTherapeuticRidingCenter.org.)
Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center was founded by Lisa Michelangelo, a former New Tampa resident who is a physical therapist. For about eight years, she managed the physical therapy department at the Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy studio in Tampa Palms.
She and her family always loved horses, so in 2013 â when Lisaâs daughters were 13 and 10 â they moved out to Dade City, where they could have a larger property and be able to live with their horses, rather than boarding them elsewhere.
At that time, it occurred to Lisa that she had the opportunity to combine her love of horses with her professional career as a physical therapist.
Lisa did extensive continuing education through the American Hippotherapy Association to be able to provide this unique therapy.
âThrough the use of a horse and movement, we target deficiencies and work on areas such as core strength, balance and walking,â explains Lisa. âThe horse replicates human walking. I can put someone on the back of the horse, and they feel like theyâre walking on air. Once we can recreate the walking pattern on the horse, we can also recreate it on the ground.â
In 2014, Lisa launched Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center on her property in Dade City.
âThe name, Emerald M, comes from the emerald gem stone,â Lisa explains. âThe emerald stands for hope, renewal and growth, and thatâs what we provide to the people we serve. We provide hope and a renewed sense of self, and then they continue to grow.â She says the âMâ is for her last name.
Lisa explains that participants in her program have a wide variety of conditions that bring them to her.
âWe have kids and adults who come to us with autism, processing disorders, emotional disorders, cerebral palsy, paralysis and brain tumors,â she explains, âItâs a whole plethora of diagnoses.â
She explains that sometimes a child or adult can complete hippotherapy, because they have successfully overcome the condition that caused them to need the therapy. At that point, they graduate to therapeutic riding, which is where they learn horsemanship skills and how to ride.
In addition, Emerald M offers beginner riding lessons for siblings of program participants, too.
âWe know it affects the whole family,â Lisa says, speaking of the conditions that cause people to come to her riding center for therapy. âOften, the siblings of the children with special needs are watching their brother or sister ride, and they want to ride, too.â
Growth⊠And Tragedy
A couple of years ago, Emerald M became a nonprofit organization, with Lisa as its founder. âSince then, the program has exploded,â Lisa says, explaining that word of mouth and practitioner support continues to draw new people into the program.
Soon, the programs Lisa offers outgrew the five-acre property she had in Dade City, so she moved the riding center to Brooksville.
She says the new property is only 5 miles from the former one, and her participants coming from places such as Wesley Chapel and New Tampa donât mind the drive. Sarahâs mom, Yvonne, who drives from Zephyrhills, says the hour-long drive is absolutely worth it, for the amazing results they are seeing in Sarah.
âWe had to make that move to accommodate the growth,â says Lisa. âThe new property is much more suited for the kind of work that we do.â
In the midst of moving, the staff and volunteers at Emerald M experienced a tragedy. When a storm blew through the area, three of the riding centerâs horses were killed by a lightning strike.
âIt was tragic,â said Lisa, who adds that says she has had support from the organizationâs board of directors and volunteers, and throughout the community, as supporters set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help with the cost of new horses.
âThey will never be replaced,â says Lisa. âHowever, we have come through and have brought in some new furry friends. The new horses help to carry the load.âTo celebrate the opening of the new location and to continue to raise funds for the organizationâs mission, Emerald M is hosting a grand opening fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 20, from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Helping Veterans, Too
About a year ago, Lisa began partnering with an organization called Veterans Alternative to help U.S. Military combat veterans and their spouses. Veterans Alternative helps veterans from all over the country, all branches of the military, and all eras of war, by providing a weeklong retreat to work through PTSD and other issues.
Lisa facilitates the part of the program called P.E.A.C.E., or âPowerful Equine Assisted Counseling Experience.â She says she comes alongside mental health providers who join these combat veterans and their spouses for a day of therapy with the horses at Emerald M.
Each horse has a story â what jobs theyâve done, or what hurdles theyâve faced â which are relayed by mental health counselors. And in turn, the veterans relate their own personal stories to the stories of the horses they are working with. Lisa says they begin to talk about things that might be challenging to them.
âItâs incredible,â she says.
Over the past year, 135 combat veterans have completed the program.
âWe even have combat veterans who have found so much reward in this program, that now theyâre out here volunteering, giving back by helping their brothers and sisters in the military,â says Lisa.
One such veteran is Franco Caro, a former U.S. Marine who served from 2001-05, and who deployed to Iraq in 2003. After leaving the military, he struggled with finding a sense of purpose.
âI tried to take my life nine times between 2005 and 2010,â he says. âTo go from working nonstop in the military to being told you canât do that anymore, you feel lost.â
Working with mental health providers and taking medications didnât keep him from attempting suicide.
But, Francoâs last suicide attempt was in 2010, before he found something to give him the sense of accomplishment he was looking for.
Franco says he first encountered horses and the idea of therapy through riding and caring for them at a place called Rocking Horse Farm in New Port Richey. Just this summer, he was introduced to Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center, and he now volunteers there two or three times a week.
âI donât realize how far Iâve come until I start thinking back,â Franco says. âWhen I go there, instead of overanalyzing myself, it allows my brain an escape to focus on something else.â
He explains that his role is to be sure the horse he cares for, named Anna, is ready to work with the hippotherapy participants. He grooms Anna, rides her to be sure sheâs properly exercised, gets her tacked up, and makes sure sheâs comfortable.
âI look over my horse from nose to tail, make sure sheâs walking correctly, standing correctly, doesnât have any wounds or discomfort,â Franco says. âShe canât tell me, so I form a strong bond with her. It puts me at ease, too, and Lisaâs getting a volunteer who knows horsemanship and what to do.â
Those volunteers, Lisa says, are essential. âI couldnât do it without them,â she says.
Franco also volunteers with the P.E.A.C.E. program, where he can tell his story to fellow veterans and share how equine therapy has helped him. âThey are very small, very personal groups, and we are there connecting with the veterans one-on-one,â Franco says.
Whether itâs working with veterans or kids with special needs, Lisa says she has been a part of incredible changes at Emerald M.
âMiracles happen out here,â Lisa says. âA lot of times, itâs unexplainable. It truly is the horses. I facilitate it, but the animals do have a sense that we canât explain. The changes that we see out here are monumental for both families and individuals.â
For more information about Emerald M Riding Center, to donate to its GoFundMe campaign, or to purchase tickets to its Grand Opening Fundraiser on Saturday, October 20,5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., visit EmeraldMTherapeuticRidingCenter.org.
The new and massive Wiregrass Sports Complex behind Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, which boasts more than 100,000-sq.-ft. of playing area and a new Marriott-branded Residence Inn hotel, has grabbed all the headlines the past few years.
