Brochure 2000

HIGH

HOPES

T H E RA P E U T I C R I D I N G,

I N C .

HIGH

HOPES

THERAPEUTIC

experiencing able

and

riding

environment

PEOPLE

THROUGH

can

THE

RIDING,

horses

in

a secure,

on

challenging

IMPROVE

significantly

SHARING

is founded

INC.,

THE

OF KNOWLEDGE,

the and

LIVES

EXPERIENCE

of

belief

that

companionindividuals

AND

INSPIRATION.

' who is

a.re physically, to

through

bring the

the

emotionally extra.ordinary

sharing

of our

or developmentally ben ~fits knowledge,

of

.challenged.

therapeutic

experience

and

riding inspiration.

Our to

goal people

Somethin g sp ecial happ ens w hen a. cu r ly - ha.ired fiv e-y ea r- old with s trong , war m ha.Gk of a. 16-ha. n d thor o ughbr ed. She's frightened. is a. big new pla ce with T!1e future

is full.

In front

big new fe eling s, sights, of that little person,

To a child~r adultwith a physical,developmentalor emotional disability,life can look a lot brighteron horseback.The power and warmth of the horse strengthens and tones muscles, improvesbalance,head control and coordination,builds self. esteem,and offersa sense of freedomand equality. •

cerebral pal s y fi rs t f eels the

She's excited.

Suddenly

th e pr esent

sme ll s, th o ught s an d po ssibilitie s . Life is full.

there is a. new life with H igh Hope s .

At High Hopes, our programincorporatesphysical therapy, unconditionallove gained in the human/animalexperience, and freedomand mobility that our riders cannot experience from.a wheelchair.The feeling of achievementand controlthat comes from riding and maneuveringa 1,200-pound horse ts strong medicin~, replacingself-doubtwith self-confidence.

-

A bond of friendship that words cannot , explain.

"The softnessofthe horse'scoat,the long mane,¡the warmbodyofthe horseare truly therapeutic .... They createa bondof communication, a bondof friendshipthat doesnot needverbalization . The entire ridingexperiencetranscendswords."

KNAUSENBERGER,

•

At High Hopes, located at the Sis Gould Center for Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, Connecticut, we provide effective, safe, innovative and professional therapeutic riding programs to people from every age group with a wide range of physical, mental or emotional disabil ities.

Facts About High Hopes: • Founded in 1974; • Accredited by th~ North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA); • A tax-exempt, 501 (c)(3) charitable organization; and • The site for the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games Equestrian Competition, hosting 203 athletes from 32 countries.

WE

SERVE

here is no typical High Hopes rider:. Some of the individuals we serve are children and adults of all ages who: • Are physically challenged with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, traumatic brain injury, spina bifida, paraplegia or stroke, or have visual and hearing impairments; • Are underprivileged children with special needs who are bused in from inne i: city schools; or • Have mental retardation, learning disabilities, Down Syndrome and more.

High Hopes offers year-round programs. In fact, more than 6,000 rider hours are provided each year, and hundreds of volunteers donate more than 15,000 hours of their time annually.

Our High Hopes horses are primarily selected

for soundness

allowing

~xperience

therapists"

-

donated to . High Hopes. They are carefully and a gentle

legs of these beautiful

riders,

our "four-legged

in their

between

part of our therapeutic

The

become the legs of our

them a sense of freedom

elsewhere

bond developed

animals

disposition.

lives.

This

they seldom very special

horse and rider is an integral riding program.

"Successin schoolcomeseventually with the ability to acquire knowledgeand to apply it. My students with specialneedscome from an urban environment.Some are lacking in propernurturing and most are approachedby gang membersto join their 'family.'

With the help of everyoneat High Hopes, we haveformed our own 'gang' of sorts. It is positive, acceptingof differences,challenging, but overall,everyonewants everyoneelse to do a good job.

"While I'm with my students at High Hopes, I can teach more in three hours than I can in two days of in-schoolclasswork. Science, socialstudies, math - all happeneasily through the children's observationand questioning.Writing about our High Hopes experiencesis also a componentof the learning experience.~

• ••

• CONNECTICUT,

•

When a rider comes to High Hopes for the first time, he or she receives a detailed professional evaluation. Our physical therapists and NARHA-certified instructors then design and customize a program individually tailored to each rider's needs .

Some of our programs

include:

• Medical, encompassing Hippotherapy, in which the horse becomes the tool for physical therapy; • Sensory in tegration, in ·whic h the horse becomes the tool for occupational therapy; • Recreational sports ridin g, wh ich teaches basic riding skills; • Educational riding, which integrates the child's curriculum and goals at school into the therapeutic riding session; ;rnd • Carriage driving ; which enhances spatial awareness.

In {lddirio11, t{lck

v~rntio11f!l

rrni11i11g i11 liorsc

l/l{li11re11{111c~ {I/Id b{lrll

our ri1lcrs responsibility

l/l{lll{lge111c11t

And self-escr:cm.

rnre,

cenc/1

There are many ways you can support High Hopes. Your donation will bring untold joy and a sense of fulfillment to many children and adults with disabilities. You can help these very special people lead happier and healthier lives.

If you would like to become a member, check the appropriate box and fill in the information below.

0 Special Bwef11ctor$2,000 plus Benefactor $1,000 0 Patron $500

0 Surrogr1.teParent: Adopt-a-Horse Program $360

□

□

Sponsor $200

D S11srai11er$100 0 Supporter $50 □ Friend $35

If you are interested in becoming involved with High Hopes in other ways, please check the appropriate boxes, fill in the information below, and we'll contact you directly.

0 I would like to be it voluntur.

D I would like to donate it horse.

D I - or someone [ know - would like to become a rhempeutic riding student. □ I would like to kilow (!bout orlier W(lys of supponing High Hopes.

Name _____________________________________

_

Address------------------------------------Telephone ___________________________________ MAKE

CHECKS PAYABLE TO HIGH

ROAD,

OLD

LYME, CT

06371.

_

HOPES AND SEND WITH THIS FORM To: P.O. Box

(203)

434-1974

ALL

GIFTS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

254,

36 TOWN

WOODS