Making a Difference

The Center's Therapeutic Riding program benefits children and adults who have a variety of special needs relating to cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, and autism to stroke recovery and learning disabilities. Students ride specially trained horses with our certified instructors in weekly sessions to develop increased balance and muscle control, improve concentration and short-term memory, and enhance their confidence and self-esteem.

See how Therapeutic Riding at Helen Woodward Animal Center is changing the lives of the Ausen family.

Over the next few months, the Therapeutic Program will be profiling the volunteers of a different day of the week. Without our volunteers, our program could not exist, and we are so grateful for their time and dedication!  Last time, we profiled our terrific Tuesday group.  This round we’ll be highlighting wonderful Wednesdays! 

Wednesdays have some of our longest tenured volunteers.  We’re even lucky enough to have one of these be a former NARHA Certified Instructor.  Their wide range of interests and personality types enable them to click with the diverse group of students we have Wednesdays.  They demonstrate patience, persistence and compassion with both people and horses.  Their dependability week in and week out keeps lessons running smoothly and productively. 

The Therapeutic Riding Program couldn’t do without this diligent group of hardworking ladies.  So thank you, Geri, Heather, Jeanie, Judy, Kim, Susan, and Taj for all you do for the horses, students, and staff! 

Coming up next, tremendous Thursdays!

The therapeutic riding program would like to also give a huge thank you to Dr. Vasquez for donating most of the vaccinations and pharmaceutical supplies that our therapy horses have needed. We also appreciate all the surgical procedures and follow up care on the special cases he has worked on for us.  We are extremely grateful for all of the support he has given our special equines over the last few years. 

LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED, BUT DON’T HAVE THE TIME? FOSTER A HORSE!