Come with Lilly on her unique childhood adventures with a pony named Zander. Zander helps Lilly overcome her motor and sensory challenges through equine-assisted and hippotherapy activities. These activities help make Lilly stronger and more coordinated. Through her relationship with Zander, Lilly gains confidence in herself and a willingness to approach new situations. This special bond teaches Lilly about friendship and how to give and nurture another. Unlike other pony stories, Lilly and Zander engage in several hippotherapy exercises that ultimately build Lilly's core muscle strength, along with her gross and fine motor skills. She also becomes more adept at knowing where her body is in space, and tactile sensations that she previously found aversive are now tolerable. In addition, the beautiful outdoor environment, barn, and stables provide many sensory experiences that would otherwise not be found in a traditional clinical setting. New sounds, smells, colors and textures are abundant and offer new and enriching learning experiences. As a result of her relationship and bond with Zander, Lilly gains confidence in her willingness to approach new things and interact with her peers in social situations. Riding and developing a relationship with a horse can be fun and beneficial for any child. And it can be especially rewarding for children with developmental delays, and other cognitive, physical, or emotional challenges. ---Full Color with Illustrations. ---Ages 5-10. ADVANCE PRAISE FOR LILLY & ZANDER "Touching, informational, and inspirational! I would highly recommend this very appealing, child friendly story to all families with a child with special needs!" ---JOAN L. ARONSON, M.Ed., CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist, Registered Therapist in Hippotherapy Founder & Director, Green Acres Equestrian Center "Dr. Stamm has written a wonderfully thoughtful and sensitive story about the great therapeutic benefit of equine therapy. Lilly & Zander is a gift to children, parents and professionals interested in a non-traditional therapeutic intervention to address developmental delays, sensory integration and other challenges of childhood." ---JULIET BUCHWALTER, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist "An emotionally authentic glimpse into the complex, age-old love affair between horses and humans, Dr. Stamm's enchanting and beautifully illustrated book is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved horses." ---MAUREEN VIDRINE, DNP, APRN-PMH Director & Psychotherapist, Horse Time Equine-Facilitated Mental Health Center "Dr. Stamm describes in almost magical prose the healing power that arises in relationships between humans and animals. The reciprocal friendship between Lilly and Zander is one that many children will embrace and treasure--it creates hope for all of us!" ---BERYL ANN COWAN, Ph.D., J.D. Clinical Psychologist "Lilly & Zander is a wonderful children's book and fabulous introduction to equine-assisted activities." ---CARRIE BARTELME, M.S., OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist "An inspiring new book by Dr. Stamm on the many benefits of equine-assisted therapy." ---CATHERINE JONES Equine Care & Riding Instructor "A wonderful and heartwarming story of a little girl who is able to overcome her many challenges through the power of equine-assisted activities and therapies." ---MONICA WU, M.S., OTR/L, HPCS Clinical Specialist in Hippotherapy