Give Equine Therapy to Children with Disabilities

"Here's Ricky.  He loves riding on Major." Our hearts lifted when we saw Ricky and heard those words.  Major was Jacob's horse.  Jacob's Fund, the US program of The Red Thread Promise is named for Jacob.  Jacob, who was happiest when he rode Major, died at age three.  Giving that same happiness to other children is our way of remembering Jacob and seeing that his generous, caring spirit lives on.  

Ricky is a sweet six year old.  He'd never been on a horse, but after just two hippotherapy sessions at McKenna Farms, he was trotting around the arena.

Ricky's a new patient at McKenna Farms and a new Jacob's Fund scholarship recipient. For children like Ricky, who has ADHD and some behaviorial problems, the world can be a confusing, and sometimes hostile place. 

But on Major, Ricky's improving his motor, attention, and congnitive skills while learning to control Major's movements using the reins, his voice and body movements. On Major, Ricky is able to relax, focus and positively receive the therapies he needs.

McKenna Farms has a waiting list of patients like Ricky who need help, but whose parents can't afford the cost.  Each month McKenna Farms' board members meet and part of their job is to evaluate needs and decide which children they can help with Jacob's Fund scholarships. 

You, as a Global Giving donor, help Ricky and other kids at McKenna Farms.

Ricky's been able to keep an uninterrupted schedule of sessions thanks to the newly installed covered arena, now getting the finishing touches. He's able to ride under cover from the hot sun and rain on a regular basis, without missing sessions due to temperamental weather.

With walls up and doors installed, the indoor arena at McKenna Farms is almost ready. In June, children, therapists, parents and supporters will host a grand opening. And whatever the weather - rain, Georgia's summer heat, or the occasional winter snow like those that happened this winter - hihppotherapy sessions will be uninterrupted. 

That's vital for the patients' progress because progress builds with each session.  

Little Patricia, who will soon start hippotherapy at McKenna Farms, is one of the children who will go through those newly-opened doors. Patricia turns four on May 4, 2011, and now Global Giving's donors can help her turn a corner in her life as well.

Patricia's speech is delayed, but her family is very poor.  Without Global Giving donor's, the prescription Patricia's doctor has written for hippotherapy might not be filled, and Patricia would continue to suffer in silence.

Hippotherapy improves speech and vocabulary. During Patricia's sessions, the horse's gait will allow her to experience movement that strengthens her core.  The horse's balanced, rhythmic motion stimulates the underlying physiolgoical systems that support her speech and language functions. 

We're looking forward to the day when little Patricia, like many of the children who come to hippotherapy never having spoken a word, starts telling her horse "Go!"