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June 2009
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Last but not Least

SADDLE UP FOR LIFE THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM

Melanie Quinn gives her favorite horse, Dallas, 'thank-you' kiss!

Below is a video of Melanie and Dallas, filmed by Mike Evans of Digital Video Productions for the American Red Cross. Dallas won a Heroes Award for his work in our Program.

SADDLE-UP FOR LIFE is a recreational and therapeutic horseback-riding program for people with disabilities, run by 2GHG. It is a 100% volunteer program, with Troopers and members of the community working together to ensure its safety and success. Launched in 1998, Saddle-Up for Life (SUFL) currently provides a highly supervised recreational riding program for residents of Southbury Training School. In addition, there is a small lesson program for children and teens with disabilities.

The 2GHG horses are, because of their participation in parades and other public events, suited to handle the unexpected behavior and movement of special needs riders more than the average horse. This is a unique program for the disabled and disadvantaged in our community, and it provides an opportunity for them to interact with horses in a positive way, under strict supervision. Each client on horseback requires three volunteers - one on each side, and one to lead the horse. 

2GHG is a member center of NARHA.org and follows the rules and guidelines set forth in the standards manual. 2LT Cindy Joyce is a NARHA certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and works professionally with several therapeutic riding programs in New York and Connecticut. She acts as program administrator and instructor. SGT Melanie Viets, PFC Terri Burke, PFC Kim Abate and PFC JoAnn Taylor are all Registered Nurses and often help as side-walkers. Our Commandant, Major Gordon Johnson, is an EMT and is always ready to lend a hand. The entire Stable Department helps identify and train horses to be used in SUFL, and all of the 2GHG Officers and Troopers support this program. Our civilian volunteers come from many walks of life and include a physical therapist, several teachers and students and many have extensive equine experience. We have been fortunate to have so many qualified helpers, and we are very thankful for their dedication.

Riley Feinauer rides Dallas, with SGT Carrie Ladue and dad Rudy Feinauer
side-walking, and CPL Lauren Chirgwin leading, May 2007

The SUFL riders have a variety of disabilities and in different ways, each one benefits from horseback riding. There are physical, mental, emotional and cognitive benefits of participating in the program, and we strive to ensure the safety and success of each participant. We require background and medical information from all riders, as well as signed permission forms from physicians and parents or guardians. We work with parents and caretakers to discover the best ways to help our riders enjoy a positive experience.

One Saturday per month residents of Southbury Training School; adults with multiple disabilities, come for a ride.  We take them, three at a time, for a ‘trail ride’ in our hunt field. Several have been coming since 1998, and they know the horses and Troopers and really enjoy the experience. It's not uncommon to hear singing in the hunt field when 'the Dudes' come to ride!

Residents from Southbury Training School - 'the Dudes' - enjoy a 'Trail Ride' in 2GHG's hunt field, 2007

In addition, 2GHG runs a lesson program on Tuesday evenings for a small group of children and teens with disabilities. This is a very special program tailored to the needs of each rider. Many are becoming independent riders and it has been very rewarding to help them develop the skills needed to ride a horse without 'helpers'. It is the goal of many of our young riders to 'fire' their helpers and ride independently; and this is a good thing. This desire can motivate young riders to develop the muscle strength, coordination and planning skills required to reach their goal. Not to worry - we will always have plenty to work to keep our volunteers busy!

Recently, NARHA has partnered with the Veterans Administration to create “Horses for Heroes”.  H4H will provide therapeutic riding programs for wounded veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.  2GHG has been designated as a possible center for an H4H program and we hope to be able to host a program in the near future.

We consider ourselves fortunate - we get to share the joy and accomplishments of all of our riders, and that makes this program a great experience for our riders and their 'helpers'. We like to think our Mounts enjoy it also; at least we know Dallas enjoyed the carrot bouquet he received as the recipient of the Red Cross Heroes Award for his participation in SUFL, (see Dallas and June 1 Newsletter for details).

SUFL is a small program, but one we hold dear. We are dedicated to helping our riders have a safe, friendly and positive experience. We are fortunate to have ready Mounts who take care of our riders in their own very special way. Patton, Colonel, Dallas, Casino, Custer and Sun all participate regularly, and we are always training more Mounts to "SADDLE UP FOR LIFE "!