Ride With Pride has been a partner in the Staunton community since 1990. This not-for-profit organization spirits a supportive, community based environment that serves both handicapped and able-bodied riders in programs that are based on equine facilitated therapy, as defined by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).
It incorporates the application of communication skills for the treatment of mental, physical and emotionally challenged individuals. People Places and Ride With Pride began their partnership in 2001, providing programs for area youth.
Ride With Pride Offers Programs In Several Categories:
Therapeutic Horsemanship Program
- Teaches communication skills
- Works towards improving riding skills to the best of the riders' ability
- Includes participation in clinics and local horse shows
- Individualized goal setting
Image Enhancement Program
- Combines horsemanship, volunteerism, and pre-vocational training
- Emphasis is on developing appropriate work skills and improving social skills
- Development of problem solving skills, impulse control, and responsibility
Special Olympics Equestrian Team
- Begun in 2005, RWP trains 30 Special Olympics Athletes to compete in our own competition as well as the annual state games each November.
Community Groups
- Cowboy Poetry - Character Building Program with Horses addressing the needs of at-risk youth in our community.
- Social Skills Group - In partnership with People Places, group members practice skills that are necessary to successfully interact with others and build positive relationships. This group promotes skill development, body awareness, confidence building, emphasis on listening, following directions, risk taking, asking for help, problem solving, and working together as part of a team.
- Teen Leadership Group - Geared towards teenagers, this group utilizes the horse to learn how to develop character skills that the individual will need to become a good leader.
- School Field Trips - An introduction to the world of horses for children and teenagers with special needs and include meeting, grooming, and communicating with the horse as well other fun activities. The field trips focus on sensory goals, motor skills, attention, and of course making friends with the horse.
- Alternative Working Groups - Working with the public schools to provide alternative programs for special needs youth who are at risk of failing in the public school system.
If you know of a client that would benefit from a equine-facilitated program, please contact Ride With Pride.
| Ride With Pride Website: www.ridewithprideva.org Phone: (540) 886-2800 Email: info@ridewithprideva.org |
