For two decades, a Belgian gelding with a broad white blaze and a rich copper-colored coat named Dennis has served as the bedrock of the CHAPS Equine Assisted Services program in Sheridan, Wyoming. During that time, Dennis has given unmounted, mounted, and ground driving lessons for over 200 individuals, including youth, adults living with disabilities, veterans, and on occasion, aged community members. A two-time nominee for the Region 10 Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Horse of the Year, Dennis continues to provide service to community members four days a week.
Described as a "man of many talents," Dennis's career as an equine-assisted services specialist is even more remarkable when you consider the various health challenges he has faced throughout his life. As a young horse, Dennis experienced a period of neglect so severe it stunted his growth. Rescued at three and rehabilitated to better health, Dennis was donated to CHAPS by Trinity Glasscock when he was six. But just two years later, the gelding was diagnosed with insulin resistance, and program staff struggled to keep him at a healthy weight.
"With prescription medication and a very strict diet, he was able to manage - until he developed an allergy to grains," explains Kristen Marcus, CHAPS executive director. "This allergy caused urinary problems, which caused his weight to decline drastically."
It took CHAPS staff and veterinarians months of trial and error to get Dennis back on the path to a healthy weight and good health; thankfully, once his allergies were correctly identified, his weight soon stabilized and he has experienced no further urinary issues.
Although Dennis makes sure his equine friends know that he is top of the herd, when he works with clients in the CHAPS program, his demeanor is quiet, kind, and willing. One mother shares that Dennis was a "steadfast partner" in her son Austin's journey from fearful to confident through his work at CHAPS.
"Dennis offered a calm demeanor, even when Austin was not feeling calm," she says. "His gentle nature helped Austin grow and overcome fear of touching a horse. Riding Dennis became a highlight of the week for Austin, and he looked forward to climbing onto Dennis's back, [giving] him the ability to experience the world from a different view. Dennis's gentle steps and patience allowed Austin to gain confidence, not only in the barn and arena, but in life in general."
L. Martin said they were in a "rough spot" when they started CHAPS programming; Dennis was their first partner, and they describe him as an "amazing horse, with a massive heart."
"It was hard for me to talk about things that meant a lot to me," Martin said. "But once a week, I had a window of time where I could set it all down for a moment and breathe. To me, Dennis was kind of like a first breath of fresh air. He's patient and smart, but he's soft and giving too. Dennis is an incredibly special horse to me, and he keeps giving me such a solid footâ€"or hoof, I suppose - to stand on."
CHAPS staff admire Dennis' patience, adaptability, and strength, in all ways the term can be defined.
"Dennis is my hero," says Fleur Ahern, a certified instructor at CHAPS. "He can handle everything that his path crosses with ease. He can take care of participants mounting with the lift, with sometimes five people around him. He is not afraid of any challenge."
As he has aged, Dennis has developed a slightly swayed back and a touch of arthritis - but he hasn't let these issues slow him down much. In 2020, Dennis became the first CHAPS horse to have his own trading card, after he won the Draft Horse Derby Fundraiser. Not only does he play Santa Claus every year, Dennis has also been the poster child for several public outreach events, including trips to the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, an official Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event, and the Tournament of Knights, a day of Renaissance-themed fun.
"He is our "steady Eddie" and builds confidence in everyone who works with him," says Marcus. "Like fine wine, Dennis just gets better with time."
