TV show Collar of Duty Kids visits Transitions Encompassing Wellness

The story of Woodstock resident Sierra Meidel and therapy horse Thunder is featured on an episode of Collar of Duty, a show featuring the incredible relationships between humans and animals. (Contributed Photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“It's all about the powerful pairings between kids and animals, as well as the life adventures they experience together, in this inclusive, fun and touching documentary series. It’s about the magic that can happen between them.”

Those are the words of Laura Lille, the producer of Collar of Duty Kids, a series that takes viewers into the lives of children and their service animals. The show’s last episode of the season featured the story of 12-year-old Woodstock resident Sierra Meidel and therapy horse Thunder. Thunder is part of the herd at Transitions Encompassing Wellness, a tourism and wellness farm near Tavistock, operated by Alisha Wilson. The hope was for Sierra’s anxiety to improve through a relationship with an animal.

Sierra’s mother Brittany said horses have been a part of their family’s life for years and her brother is a top standardbred driver. She added her daughter did ride when she was younger, but the pandemic put an end to that.

“She had to take a break from it and after COVID, when she was struggling with anxiety, we were trying to find different things for her to take part in but she didn’t find anything she was interested in. I brought up the idea of going back into riding.”

Brittany is a self-employed aesthetician and Wilson is one of her clients. The two talked and the rest, as they say, is now documented history.

“When I went to the farm for the first time I looked at Thunder and we just clicked,” said Sierra. “I was nervous but when I started going on her I knew she was the horse I could trust with my life. She was just different from the other horses.”

Brittany explained her daughter’s relationship with Wilson and Thunder has resulted in a marked improvement in Sierra’s mental health.

“When she went back to school after the pandemic, she was having separation anxiety, and she was having a hard time being away from us and getting back into a routine. She was also having major general anxiety and would ask for permission to do any little thing, but she has gained more confidence and leadership skills by working with such a big animal. It is an immense change and it has carried over into her homelife and school.”

Sierra said it is her hope the show will reach other children struggling with anxiety and other health issues.

“I would love that for them. When I was at camp on Monday (at Transitions) they put it on for the kids and I hope they got the meaning of it. I wasn’t nervous doing the show because they make you feel like you are a part of a family. It was a really fun experience.”

Lille echoed those remarks and said filming in Oxford County was something she and her crew won’t soon forget.

“This was our last shoot of the season, and I think we were all (the crew) feeling the bittersweetness of it on that particular day. Alisha made us feel right at home and the horses on the farm seemed to welcome us as well.”

Despite the fact Sierra has found an animal which has made a huge impact on her life, Lille said at the same time so many children aren’t as fortunate.

“What would be going on with Sierra if she didn’t find Thunder as she enters her tween to teen years? What does that look like for so many kids in our country and around the world who don’t find that thing? What happens next?”

Transitions Encompassing Wellness offer a wide variety of experiences from horse therapy, reiki with horses to fun group activities with playful names including Cowgirl Kickback, Horse Play date nights. Wilson said she’s grateful to Summerhill Media for the opportunity to showcase her business.

“It was an honour to be featured, and we’re especially proud of the young lady they chose to interview. She represents the heart of what we do. We’re beyond excited to see our farm and programs come to life on Collar of Duty Kids and can’t wait to share this special feature with our community.”

Lille said the episode also features visits to the Woodstock Veterinary Hospital.

“We got to meet Dr. Rob and Marley, a senior rescue dog from Happy’s Place senior dog rescue. We can’t wait to share this incredible episode and hope to be back to film again soon in Oxford County.”

The episode aired live on Monday Aug. 4 on Accessible Media Inc (AMI+) and is available on its streaming service at https://www.amiplus.ca/. The episode will also air on TVOkids in December.