According to the Bureau of Justice 2000 census report, over 50 million people in the United States suffer from physical, mental or emotional disabilities. There are 650,000 disabled children and adults living in Colorado. Numerous traditional-style therapies exist to aide specific diseases and injuries, usually provided in a clinical setting.The Pikes Peak Region has the only organization accredited by the North American Handicapped Riders Association (NAHRA) for therapeutic riding in southern Colorado.Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center (PPTRC) was established in 1981 under the name, Acts 19:11, a biblical reference to the “miracles” of therapeutic horseback riding. Incorporated as a nonprofit in 1982, the name changed to the current PPTRC. PPTRC provides equine-assisted therapy to a variety of riders of all ages. PPTRC outgrew its previous location and accepted an offer from the Pikes Peak Range Rider Foundation to move to 30 acres at Latigo Heritage Center in northeastern El Paso County. The move took place in March 2004.Therapeutic riding has been effective in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Down’s syndrome, Autism, head injuries, cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral disabilities. Many clients come to PPTRC as part of their therapy program. Others are referred by word of mouth, group homes, hospitals and organizations such as The Resource Exchange. PPTRC averages 80 riders a week, and the two largest programs at PPTRC are hippo therapy and therapeutic riding.Hippo therapy is therapy on the back of horse. Under the instruction and supervision of certified physical, occupational and speech therapists, the riders work to improve their balance, posture, strengthen their spine and pelvic muscles and joint mobility.” Horses walk in a similar three-dimensional movement as humans,” said Mary Mitten, PPTRC’s program director. Hippo therapy riders include children between the ages of two and six. The natural posture while on horseback reduces the pain of physical therapy as well and builds independence and self-esteem. The therapy is often covered under medical insurance as part of a patient’s rehabilitation program. Hippo therapy does not replace traditional therapies; it’s used in addition to traditional therapies.Therapeutic riding classes emphasize independence for the rider. Taught by instructors certified by NAHRA, the classes are designed to aide physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities. Rider’s ages run from two to the mid-sixties, and classes are divided according needs of the riders. Young children may need to work on colors, letters and numbers, where adults may need help on personal grooming and independence. Instructors use numerous games and activities set up around the horse arena to teach these skills. When a rider takes control of a 1,000-pound horse and is able to direct its movements, it is a great sense of accomplishment for both children and adults. Mitten said, “Therapeutic riding increases independence and gives riders a freedom that they have never felt before.”Other programs at PPTRC are equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), at-risk youth and sports, recreational and competition. The programs provide a sense of confidence, motivation and accomplishment that may be lacking in other areas of their lives.PPTRC is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation, which means all funding comes from donations. Christy Stettler, executive director, spends much of her time working on grant proposals, endowments and other forms of fundraising. Much of PPTRC’s donations come from individuals who have had past experience with the PPTRC.Colorado Springs has over 700 nonprofits that compete for limited funds. With a struggling local economy, PPTRC donations have decreased, but the retention of donors has remained stable.PPTRC sponsors two fundraisers per year: one in the spring and one in the fall. The “Healing Hooves Gala” will be held on Oct. 16 at the Cheyenne Mountain Conference resort. The event includes dinner, a social hour, a silent auction and a live auction by J & J Auction Services.A critical part of PPTRC is its volunteers. Tami Fredrich is the volunteer coordinator, and it is her responsibility to make sure that each class has enough volunteers to assist the instructors and therapists. Each horse has one side walker and one leader. Currently, PPTRC has over 300 volunteers who commit to a minimum of two hours per week. It is the volunteers’ responsibility to ready the horse for class and take care of the horse after the class. Each volunteer attends a training orientation that is held about every two months. All of those over age 14 are welcome to volunteer at PPTRC.The current 15 PPTRC therapy horses are donated. Each horse that is accepted into the PPTRC training program must be healthy and between the ages of six and eighteen. The center requires a six-week trial period. During that time, the horse is introduced to wheelchairs, walkers, toys, loud music and things that suddenly move, and it has to pass the test to be accepted. If not, the horse is returned to its owner.Because equine therapy requirements are stressful on the horse, PPTRC sends its equine friends on “vacation.” The horses spend two-to-four weeks at a local ranch, where the horse hangs out in the pasture. If the horse is unable to perform its duties, PPTRC finds the horse a new home, and all new owners go through a rigorous application. No horse is sent to auction.PPTRC also provides expertise and education to other therapeutic riding centers around the country. It is their mission to enrich the lives of the disabled by helping them become as self-sufficient as possible, despite their special needs.To find out how to volunteer or to donate items, visit the PPTRC Web site:www.pptrc.org.
