It is almost Valentine’s Day, so it is time to make plans with your sweetheart like going bowling. Sure, you could go to romantic restaurant, but wouldn’t doing some good for the community do your heart more good?
Sure, it would.
Horses with H.E.A.R.T., a therapeutic riding non-profit organization, is having its 12th Annual Bowl-A-Thon on Feb. 14, with bowling beginning at 9 a.m. and noon.
The money raised at the event will be used to give scholarships to those who cannot afford to pay for the program.
Arlene Alen, marketing director for the organization, says that depending on how many people attend the event, many scholarships can be provided.
“We could scholarship 20 to 30 riders. We can do a lot of good in this community,” Alen said.
The purpose of Horses with H.E.A.R.T. (Hands on Equine Assisted Riding Therapy) is to provide therapeutic horseback riding for people of all ages, from small children to senior citizens to veterans. Organization representatives say the activity helps almost anyone with any disability including cerebral palsy, autism, Down Syndrome and physical, mental or emotional conditions. The program also works with those with head injuries, and the visually and hearing impaired.
Alan says the benefits of therapeutic horsemanship are many, for example, the horse’s motion exercises muscles that improve the rider’s mobility by working the hip, pelvis and spine.
“There is this thing about horses,” Alen explained. “A horse has an absolutely amazing ability to feel your soul. They are very intuitive animals.”
She says the horses form bonds quickly with their riders, many of whom include veterans who may have trouble communicating because of PTSD.
“They start talking about the horse and over time, they help make a bridge to people,” she said.
Seniors are another special group whose lives are enhanced by riding.
She says sometimes as we age we become more isolated, but riding regularly opens doors to new activities, new friends and helps with physical fitness.
Special needs children also benefit from participating in the program.
Alen recalled one young client with autism. “I met him seven years ago. He was not very verbal. I have seen him blossom. He graduated from high school and was named to the United States Special Olympics Equestrian Team. Then he was named team captain. He will participate in the in world games in Los Angeles in July 2015.”
There are 1,800 such organizations across the country. “Every one of them does amazing work,” she said. “We serve more than 600 riders a year and over 22,000 volunteer hours a year. It’s an amazing group of people. Almost no one is paid for being here.”
Horses with H.E.A.R.T, founded 22 years ago, is completely non-profit, so fundraising is an important part of the program.
“It is very expensive to run a program like this,” Alen said. “Some of our clients have two or three children who have multiple challenges, yet they pay a fraction of the cost.”
The Bowl-A-Thon is the organization’s biggest fundraiser. It is set for Antelope Lanes at 6301 2nd Street in Prescott. QCBN
Horses with H.E.A.R.T is three miles from the Prescott Airport, the gateway to Chino Valley on Highway 89. To learn more, call 728-772-7501.
By Patty McCormac
Quad Cities Business News
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