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December 2013
Serving Danville Horses with he Heart to Heal By Jody Morgan
Adopt a Family Bikes
Where did they go? Remember that pop-up bike shop last year that was open during the holidays in the old Blockbuster place in Alamo? They are located in Danville this year at 500 La Gonda Way at the corner of El Cerro. Adopt a Family Bikes is a local non-profit organization that collects donated used bikes during the holiday season. The bikes are cleaned, repaired, and safety checked before being distributed to local non-profits serving the homeless, foster children, unemployed, underemployed, persons in recovery, and Richmond school children identified by their teachers as unlikely to receive a holiday gift. Used bikes and volunteers are urgently needed to fill the huge need for bikes. The program got a late start this year as staff struggled to find an available work space, so the need for donations and help is especially great. No experience is needed to volunteer. Bikes can be dropped off Saturdays am pm 10 -4 and Sundays noon-4pm through December 8th but are needed as soon as possible. Volunteers are needed during those hours through December 22nd. Hours will be expanded as more volunteers become available. Check the website for the most current volunteer hours at www.adoptafamilybikes.org. What was once an effort funded and manned by members of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church (www.sainttimothysdanville.org) in Danville has since become a community program with the support of individuals, local businesses, philanthropic organizations, schools, and scouting groups. The core volunteers remain year after year to take on the lion’s share of the work and ensure the integrity of the program. For questions and more information email adoptafamilybikes@gmail.com.
Christmas Memories on Exhibit thru January 4
Christmas Memories at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley will be on exhibit through January 4, 2014. On Friday, November 29th, following the Danville Oak Tree lighting, stop by the Museum Open House from 6:30-8:30pm. Features on display include tree model trains, an antique sleigh, Christmas trees, toys, a flying Santa, a merry-goround, a Ferris wheel, a dancing cake, favorite Christmas story books, Pooh Corner, and lots more. The Museum is located at 205 Railroad Ave., Danville and is open Tu e s d a y - F r i d a y 1-4pm, Saturday 10am 1pm, and Sunday noon - 3pm. For more information, visit www. museumsrv.org.
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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
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Horses need more than even temperament, sound physique, and special training to successfully handle the arduous demands of therapeutic riding. They need the stamina to sustain long periods of carrying an unbalanced body or standing absolutely still. They have to be approachable from every angle and fearless in the face of flying objects and strange sounds. They need the heart to pass along their own well-being to humans struggling with a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional problems. Inspired by polio-impaired equestrian Lis Hartel’s silver medal triumph in Grand Prix dressage in the 1952 Olympics, Europeans developed the first therapeutic riding programs. Americans soon learned of the benefits. Founded in 1969 as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, the organization now known as Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) currently embraces a variety of protocols aimed at enriching lives and promoting excellence
Dave West and Peggy James show off Summer’s excellent manners.
in equine-assisted therapies. Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, ADHD/ADD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Depression, Brain Injury, and Autism are a few of the human disorders the healing powers of horses can relieve. Therapy horses remain calm no matter what is asked of them. In sessions for physically disabled clients, the instructor orchestrates the lesson with a handler leading the horse and side walkers steadying the rider on either side. The horse may need to stand still while balls or rings are tossed through the air. Some exercises involve vaulting maneuvers and riding backwards. Physically able riders coping with emotional or cognitive Volume V - Number 2 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, issues may make sudden gestures or sounds. Alamo, CA 94507 The horse that works well in therapeutic rid(925) 405-6397 ing is not necessarily the lovey-dovey backyard Fax (925) 406-0547 horse,” Peggy James, co-founder of Reins in Motion in Livermore, explains. Summer has Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher editor@ been Peggy’s endurance horse for many years. yourmonthlypaper.com “I can hardly hold her back on the trail because she wants to take the lead and is very competi- The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily tive. She’s a totally different horse in the arena reflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not with kids. When working with clients who are responsible for the content of any of busy with their bodies (inside and out), she the advertising herein, nor does
See Heal continued on page 20
publication imply endorsement.