The Mustang

There's a story involving a horse that illustrates one of the early insights held by famed psychotherapist Carl Rogers, who developed a person-centered, humanistic approach to helping others. 

[For transparency, it's been several years since I read this story and my re-telling of it may be flawed. You Rogerians will forgive if I get some facts wrong -- the gist will still be accurate.]

Rogers spent his teen years living on a farm several miles outside Chicago, Illinois. One morning he watched several men try to move a horse from the barn. The horse, as horses sometimes do, was having none of it. The men pushed, pulled, yelled, smacked, and pushed some more; still, the horse refused to budge. When the men took a break a young Rogers walked to the horse's side. He spent time caressing the and whispering softly to the horse. Then, he calmly took hold of the bridle and exited the barn together with the horse, walking side by side. 

The equality of the relationship was what helped the horse feel safe. Comfortable enough to do what needed to be done.

The Mustang is themed on the same principle: all animals need to feel trust and safe in order to grow, mature, and prosper. I'm unsure if prisoner Roman Coleman or the Mustang named Marcus is the star of the flick. But I do know they understood each other. And they grew to love and respect each other.

And they became better as a result.