4STEPS Therapeutic Riding Program

The goals of our program are as follows: to provide a wide range of therapeutic equine activities, mounted and un-mounted, according to the standards set by Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) for disabled children and adults in our community; to offer those services to economically disadvantaged individuals; to provide families and/or caregivers the opportunity to participate in equine activities with the disabled individual; to provide disabled individuals exercise therapy to relax tight muscles, increase range of motion, improve stability and balance, and to enhance emotional connectivity with the participant and his/her environment on the back of a horse; to increase capacity for empathy, self esteem, social interaction and other interpersonal behaviors in children with emotional disorders, truancy, aggressive behavior and social maladjustment.

Horses used are screened not only for their temperament, but also in the smoothness and symmetry of their gait. Additionally, handlers are trained to work with an individual towards achieving specific therapeutic goals with progress being measured. Individual horsemanship goals are developed by PATH Intl Certified Instructors and objectives and lessons are tailored and implemented to meet those goals. Volunteers are recruited and utilized to assist instructors and participate in a variety of ways including leading horses during lessons, sidewalking (walking alongside the horse to offer the rider support when needed), grooming horses, tacking up horses, cooling out horses, cleaning tack, horse care, helping with fund-raisers, participating in public relations, assisting with administrative duties, planning of special events, and anything else that needs doing. Instructors and volunteers participate in continuing education and training to stay current in policies and procedures and new techniques in the field of disabilities and EAAT.

4STEPS Therapeutic Riding Program was established in 2004 to meet the needs of physically and emotionally disabled children and adults for therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities and therapies. The current operational staff consists of one PATH-certified therapeutic riding instructor, augmented by Instructors-In-Training (IITs) and a cadre of 25 to 30 volunteers. Presently the number of individuals served is approximately 100 individuals annually. 4STEPS collaborates with local schools, county health departments, civic organizations and private and governmental agencies to identify new clients who would benefit from equine assisted activities and therapies. 4STEPS has maintained a policy of offering therapeutic riding and equine assisted programs to disabled individuals in the Lower Eastern Shore community, based solely on their need and desire for such service and without regard to race, gender, ethnic group, national origin, education level, religion or socioeconomic status. Indeed, the very purpose of this application is to secure funding to enable us to continue offering services to those whose socioeconomic status is such that they are unable to pay a modest service fee for the services. Our policy has always been that no disabled individual will be denied services because of inability to pay. However, 4STEPS is a non-profit charitable organization with limited financial resources. The cost of providing services to the disabled community is substantial. To meet the expenses, we depend upon the generosity of caring individuals, civic groups, service clubs and business entities in our community. Nevertheless, the income derived from charitable donations and fundraising activities is not sufficient to meet the total program costs. To make up the difference, we charge clients a modest service fee. 4STEPS Board of Directors is active in supporting the Executive Director in implementing programs to meet community needs. The board provides support in administration, program development and fundraising.

15 years of service to and support of therapeutic riding in our community; We established ourselves as the leading day camp provider for disabled children aged 3-18; We launched additional activities and courses; We developed a strong reputation by constantly focusing on what parents and youth want; We've created an environment which encourages youth to thrive, learn and develop while making friends and having fun; Increased riding retention rate and new recruits, donor support. We've addressed community needs, improved facilities and added adaptive equipment to meet the needs of our disabled populations, received evaluation and support of community foundations; What's next: Hiring additional PATH Instructors to expand program services and increase individuals served; continued program development based on community needs including a Veteran's Program