Spirit Ride, Inc.

By using certified educators as lead instructors and volunteers with backgrounds in the fields of education, medicine, research, and child development we offer the best resources available.<br/><br/>By offering thorough and specific training opportunities for our volunteers, we are proud to have extremely competent partners included in each child's therapy team. Many of our volunteers are professionals in the community - serving our community in the roles of; Exceptional Child Educators, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Family and Child Counselors. A large amount of our volunteer population are current graduate and undergrad students in the disciplines of Family Counseling, Occupational Therapy, and Exercise Science.<br/><br/>Attending educational seminars and workshops targeted for those who work with children with special needs.<br/><br/>Delivering consistent, kind, and natural training for our horses will promote the sense of partnership.

We focus on goals agreed upon by the child's 'Therapy Team'. This includes the child's Exceptional Child Educator, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and/or Licensed Professional Counselor and the parent. We are already seeing tremendous growth with young women and children who have suffered such trauma and abuse that they have been diagnosed with PTSD and/or Adjustment Disorders (low self-esteem, self-mutilating behavior, etc.)<br/><br/>Additionally, we are noting progress with cognitive goals for our riders who (as per their I.E.P.) are working toward specific goals in Math, Science and English. Our Spirit Ride Sensory Integration Trail is a huge success and is utilized daily to introduce a variety of individualized objectives.

Through quarterly meetings, Instructors and Lead Volunteers will discuss and make note of current needs, future plans and steps required to meet both. Meeting attendees will document successful strategies as well as items that have been fulfilled and/or met.<br/><br/>At the end of each session (Spring, Summer and Fall) we meet with parents and make note of progress and skill mastery.<br/><br/>The child's Therapy Team (Exceptional Child Educators and Community Professionals) will meet periodically to update progress and set/revise goals.

Developed a sensory integration trail.<br/>Built and utilized a tack room/volunteer room/student classroom.<br/>Built a wheelchair accessible mounting ramp.<br/>Certified and trained volunteers.<br/>Numerous examples of individual goal mastery (physical, cognitive and social/emotional).<br/><br/>Would like to implement a program specifically targeted at young female clients to help them develop boundaries, good decision-making skills, leadership qualities and self-confidence. <br/><br/>Would like to implement an outreach program, including visiting schools, doing TR demos, etc. Recently purchased a horse trailer for this.