St. Philip’s School and Community Center first grade students visit with Dallas during a literacy program at Equest on April 13, 2026, in Dallas. A reader appreciates Equest’s program to help students read.
I want to thank you for writing about the young owl found in concrete.
The newspaper is often so full of tragic stories, but on Sundays, the stories are more uplifting and amazing. Best Friends Animal Society’s sanctuary in Kanab Utah, is the absolute model of what a sanctuary should be.
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I have been donating to them since the early ‘90s. It went from a few crates in the middle of nowhere to the largest sanctuary anywhere. I have visited them twice to volunteer.
They have cottages and cabins and a hotel. They have their own restaurant – all vegan. There are cats, dogs, horses, pigs, goats, rabbits, birds and a wildlife section. There are full-time veterinarians.
I have never met an employee who was not happy working there. They are listed as one of the best places to work. They also give tours and offer hiking opportunities.
I was not surprised to read that they were in on the owl’s rehabilitation. Keep up the great stories. We all need those right now.
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Amanda Holt, Wylie
Many thanks to The Dallas Morning News for its profile of the University of North Texas’ career preparation program, offered in partnership with Braven, a national nonprofit organization.
I have volunteered as one of the leadership coaches the article references since the fall of 2025, having now worked with five cohorts of Braven fellows (the students enrolled in the course). While it’s quite satisfying to know that I’ve helped dozens of students become more confident and articulate, and guided them as they solve real-world challenges for organizations, it’s also been personally rewarding and helped me develop as a (mostly) retired professional.
I encourage those who’d like to help develop the next generation of leaders to become a Braven volunteer. In addition to the leadership coach role, Braven also needs mock interviewers and mentors.
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If volunteering through the UNT program doesn’t work, Braven also offers a virtual program.
This may be the most challenging time for college graduates to break into the working world in a professional capacity. UNT, through its partnership with Braven, is demonstrating its commitment to giving its future graduates a leg up in doing this.
Lori Block, Argyle
3 Equest – Re: “A “tail” of three horses – A trio of equine friends are helping first graders learn to read,” May 8 news story.
In Jessica Ma’s story, she shared that The National Assessment of Educational Progress found about 43% of fourth graders and 39% of eighth graders in Texas read below basic level and the national average.
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Cheers to Equest and their therapeutic riding program in Dallas for stepping in to make a difference. By offering first graders from underserved communities the opportunity to engage with and read to horses as part of a literacy curriculum to strengthen vocabulary and reading comprehension, at no cost for the schools, Equest continues to serve for the greater good!
To Equest, your leadership team, students and teachers who participate in the program, and the horses, you all deserve a Blue Ribbon!
Sue Mintz, Dallas/Preston Hollow