Melissa Vaught

Licensed Occupational Therapist

Melissa is a licensed Occupational Therapist who graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina.  She has been practicing for over 20 years primarily in the area of pediatrics.  Melissa is skilled in using sensory modalities to work with children on the Autism Spectrum.  She currently has received her micro-credentials for Autism by the National Board of Occupational Therapy.  Melissa has also received certification for treating children with sensory impairments and is SIPT certified. Having grown up with horses Melissa has always been interested in combining her skills with horses and children with Autism.  She completed Level 1 and Level 2 coursework for hippotherapy in 2006.

 

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Yesterday the farm was full of tigers, princesses, cowboys, vampires, a tractor or two, and one very dapper donkey in a witch hat. 🎃🐴

Our Halloween party brought our whole Fox Moon family together: kids and families from our Healing with Horses program, our Community Garden crew, retreat friends, neighbors, and longtime supporters. We celebrated farm style with hayrides through the woods, cornhole, pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating around the farm, and a costume contest that was very hard to judge. Even the goats dressed up. 🤠

This is what community looks like. People of every age, background, and ability sat side by side on hay bales, laughing and cheering each other on. Some of us have known each other for years and some met for the first time yesterday, but by the end of the day it felt like one big family.

That's why we do this work. Healing happens in the arena and the garden, and it also happens when people show up for one another, celebrate each other, and feel like they belong.

Thank you to everyone who came, dressed up, brought treats, and helped make the day so special. We love this community. 🧡

#FoxMoonFarm #HealingWithHorses #NatureHeals #ComeAsYouAre #CommunityMatters #FarmLife #HalloweenOnTheFarm #EveryoneBelongs
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Yesterday the farm was full of tigers, princesses, cowboys, vampires, a tractor or two, and one very dapper donkey in a witch hat. 🎃🐴

Our Halloween party brought our whole Fox Moon family together: kids and families from our Healing with Horses program, our Community Garden crew, retreat friends, neighbors, and longtime supporters. We celebrated farm style with hayrides through the woods, cornhole, pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating around the farm, and a costume contest that was very hard to judge. Even the goats dressed up. 🤠

This is what community looks like. People of every age, background, and ability sat side by side on hay bales, laughing and cheering each other on. Some of us have known each other for years and some met for the first time yesterday, but by the end of the day it felt like one big family.

Thats why we do this work. Healing happens in the arena and the garden, and it also happens when people show up for one another, celebrate each other, and feel like they belong.

Thank you to everyone who came, dressed up, brought treats, and helped make the day so special. We love this community. 🧡

#FoxMoonFarm #HealingWithHorses #NatureHeals #ComeAsYouAre #CommunityMatters #FarmLife #HalloweenOnTheFarm #EveryoneBelongsImage attachmentImage attachment+7Image attachment

The Mermaid We Made Together 🧜‍♀️

This week one of our young friends came to the farm ready to create. We were making clay decorations for our Halloween party, and after a few deep breaths together, she decided the best way to make something was to make it together. Taking turns, sharing the spotlight, sharing the fun.

Then she flipped to the mermaid in the clay book and decided that was next. She handed out the jobs: a tail here, a little face there. Piece by piece, side by side, our mermaid came to life.

The day ended with an outdoor obstacle course of her own design and a popsicle back at the barn. Patience, teamwork and a whole lot of joy. This is why we do this work. 💛

#foxmoonfarm #healingwithhorses #farmtherapy #comeasyouare #CreativeHealing
... See MoreSee Less

The Mermaid We Made Together  🧜‍♀️ 

This week one of our young friends came to the farm ready to create. We were making clay decorations for our Halloween party, and after a few deep breaths together, she decided the best way to make something was to make it together. Taking turns, sharing the spotlight, sharing the fun.

Then she flipped to the mermaid in the clay book and decided that was next. She handed out the jobs: a tail here, a little face there. Piece by piece, side by side, our mermaid came to life.

The day ended with an outdoor obstacle course of her own design and a popsicle back at the barn. Patience, teamwork and a whole lot of joy. This is why we do this work. 💛

#FoxMoonFarm #HealingWithHorses #FarmTherapy #ComeAsYouAre #CreativeHealingImage attachment

Christmas Morning in October 🎄

There's nothing quite like a first ride. 🐴
One of our young friends showed up for his very first riding session absolutely stoked. Before anything else, we talked about how horses are like mirrors — whatever we feel, they feel too. Toby has been a little unsure lately, so our rider promised to bring calm, positive energy. (He did.)

Together we learned every piece of tack and what it does, offered Toby a peppermint, groomed him (with a quiz on the order of the brushes!), and tacked up. He walked Toby around the grass, stopping and starting so the two of them could learn to talk to each other.

Then came the mounting block. The moment he settled into the saddle, his face lit up like Christmas morning. 🎄 We walked around the ring for fifteen minutes, and his smile never left his face. A huge success — for rider and horse.

If you have a child struggling with emotional or behavioral issues and think that working with horses here on the farm might help, reach out. We're here to help! foxmoonfarm.org/fox-moon-farm-equine-learning/

#FoxMoonFarm #HealingWithHorses #NatureHeals #ComeAsYouAre #FirstRide
... See MoreSee Less

Christmas Morning in October 🎄 

Theres nothing quite like a first ride. 🐴
One of our young friends showed up for his very first riding session absolutely stoked. Before anything else, we talked about how horses are like mirrors — whatever we feel, they feel too. Toby has been a little unsure lately, so our rider promised to bring calm, positive energy. (He did.)

Together we learned every piece of tack and what it does, offered Toby a peppermint, groomed him (with a quiz on the order of the brushes!), and tacked up. He walked Toby around the grass, stopping and starting so the two of them could learn to talk to each other.

Then came the mounting block. The moment he settled into the saddle, his face lit up like Christmas morning. 🎄 We walked around the ring for fifteen minutes, and his smile never left his face. A huge success — for rider and horse.

If you have a child struggling with emotional or behavioral issues and think that working with horses here on the farm might help, reach out. Were here to help! https://foxmoonfarm.org/fox-moon-farm-equine-learning/ 

#FoxMoonFarm #HealingWithHorses #NatureHeals #ComeAsYouAre #FirstRide
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Healing, Learning, and Growing Together: Empowering Lives through Horses, Community, and Wellness.