Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Receives Grant from EQUUS Foundation Inc.
Equestrian News Release
Buffalo, NY – September 18, 2006 – The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) is happy to report that they have recently been awarded a grant from the EQUUS Foundation Inc. BTRC was given the grant to aid in their effort to improve their program for mentally and emotionally impaired, learning disabled, and developmentally challenged children ages six to 16. The grant will help BTRC purchase equipment for the program.
The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., an all-volunteer 501(c) (3) non-profit fund raising organization, was founded in August 2002 to promote the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public and the equestrian sport as a whole. In just three years, EQUUS has awarded over $350,000 in grants, benefiting thousands of horses and people, thanks to the generosity of its many individual and corporate donors.
The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center has been the site of a therapeutic riding program for six years. Programs are designed and taught by Libby McNabb, an instructor registered with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA) and with Special Olympics. McNabb has been the director of the revitalized therapeutic riding program for four years and is also the head instructor for the Buffalo Equestrian Center (BEC) riding lesson program. Darlene Coats and Claire Martin are her assistants for both organizations, and Erin Felt manages the office, the schedule, and the volunteers.
All four of these people from the program work hard to have all aspects of both organizations function in harmony and are all certified through NARHA.
Classes are limited to four students to enforce a safe and fun experience. Each class is designed to achieve specific goals that meet the requirements of the group and/or individual. The specialized program gives each student self-esteem, confidence, muscle skills, and strength. Independent students and children from St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, Kids Escaping Drugs, Be A Friend, and the YMCA are all part of the city students who are part of this amazing program.
Horses that are donated to the program are from around the country and are hand picked by the staff. They are used in the everyday lesson program and are fit and happy when ridden by the special students in the therapeutic program.
Volunteers are always needed and are an invaluable part of the program. Each student requires three volunteers: a leader and two side walkers. The successful program could not happen without the time and effort put in by volunteers.
For more information or to volunteer at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please call 716-877-9295, email becandbtrc@aol.com, or visit http://www.theBTRC.com.
For additional information on grants, contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, or telephone (203) 259-1550, or Email to: equusfoundation@aol.com.
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