When the world is full of people who don’t understand you, sometimes a horse will do.

This summer, a group of 18 people with special needs built friendships and learned about courage and compassion among miniature horses and donkeys.

“They look forward to this every year,” said Laura Levera of Vanspec, a catechesis program for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who don’t learn in the same way other kids do. They receive one-on-one lessons about faith and prepare for the sacraments at their own pace.

In the summer, students and alumni of Vanspec get together for camps, like a July 4 day trip to Small Blessings Retreat and Animal Ministry.

“The horses are sensitive to how they are feeling,” said Levera as the campers groomed donkeys, led horses through simple obstacle courses, and participated in guided meditations as the animals wandered around them.

“When the horses approach them, (campers) can feel the calmness and peace. Some of them stay for long periods near them. It’s a very powerful experience to watch.”

Mari Lalana, the head of Small Blessings, calls her three miniature horses “therapists.” At Small Blessings, she has found clients with disabilities often relate to the animals in a way they don’t connect to people.

“When language is a barrier, when someone has a hard time communicating with words, they use images,” she said. “That’s how most animals think. They don’t use words.”

Lalana’s clients include people coping with grief, pain, trauma, or special needs. “It’s that gentle calmness that brings out trust,” she said.

A Catholic, Lalana has a background in ministry; before Small Blessings, Lalana worked as the director of Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre, which closed in 2015.

“When Rosemary Heights closed, I’m going to be really honest, I stood at the altar and said, ‘What are you doing, Lord? I thought I was going to retire there.’” She sought ways to continue working in retreats or therapy and wound up taking courses to become an equine guided life coach.

“As soon as I enrolled in the program, I got a call from a friend I haven’t heard from in 20 years, who said, ‘I heard you’re doing this. I have horses to donate to you when you finish your course,’” she said. “I quickly realized that was just the beginning of the road. God had great plans, way bigger than I could have imagined.”

She opened Small Blessings about 2 1/2 years ago. “This is the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done, other than raise my kids.”

This was the second year Vanspec brought campers to Small Blessings, and judging by the excitement, it won’t be the last, said Levera.

Katie Chu, an alumni of Vanspec, attended both years. “Camping is a big part of my life and I feel so lucky to have this now,” she said between activities.

The highlight of her day was “going around the whole obstacle course multiple times with the horses. I was really relaxed. I got to be in charge of the horse and develop a personal bond with them.”

An animated crew of campers between the ages of 10 and 46 gathered at the end of the day to pray a Hail Mary and then dive into a pizza dinner.

“Vanspec is like a big family –  younger and older people together, getting to know each other and making friendships. It’s very rewarding,” said Levera.

Levera, previously a teacher, became the coordinator of Vanspec in January.

“I had an experience teaching a student with special needs a few years ago,” she said. “Unfortunately, she passed away, but it really touched my life in a really powerful way. When I was approached for this position, I thought I could serve in this ministry. I really think the Lord has put me in a really special place, and I’m enjoying it.”

Vanspec offers one-on-one catechism in five parishes across the Lower Mainland: Immaculate Conception (Delta), Our Lady of Assumption, Our Lady of Mercy, St. Matthew’s, and St. Mary’s (Vancouver). It runs monthly Masses in addition to its annual summer camp.