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West Michigan teen makes positive impact through Boy Scout project

Posted at 4:52 PM, Oct 26, 2014
and last updated 2014-10-30 21:27:16-04

LOWELL, MICH. -- Philip Wetherbee needs to complete one final project before becoming an Eagle Scout, but to the West Michigan 17-year-old, this project is personal.

"Pretty much my entire life, I've grown up with horses around me, and I love horses," Wetherbee said.

Wetherbee recruited 22 of his friends to help with the project. They're creating pedestals and feeding barrels for Personal Ponies of Michigan.

"Animals can reach people and kids just in ways sometimes adults and people can't," said Debie Pfluge from Personal Ponies of Michigan.

The not-for-profit organization uses 16 ponies throughout the state as therapy for children with special needs.

"We're a young organization, really just starting out in the Grand Rapids area, and this is really the first time we've had anybody help us like this," said Pfluge.

Wetherbee began planning his project nearly a year ago. Now the project is almost complete, he's excited to see the results.

"I just get the satisfaction of knowing that I helped out with something bigger than myself in the community."

Personal Ponies has chapters in 48 states and Canada.