Now, over five years later, ASPIRE has grown to serve Black Hawk, Benton, Buchanan, Butler, Grundy and Tama counties, and grows more each year. Our classes are held in the Pullin-Simonsen Arena at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo, IA, during the Spring, Summer and Fall.
Our Mission:
ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program provides benefits to individuals with disabilities through animal assisted activities and outreach programs.
ASPIRE Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program is a 501 C3 non-profit organization that specializes in offering individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities a unique therapy through various horseback riding techniques.
Where Did Therapeutic Riding Come From?
Humans
have practiced therapuetic horseback riding since the 17th century. The first therapuetic riding centers came to the United States in 1960. There are now 500 centers in the United States - of which five are located in Iowa - and all centers affiliate with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, NARHA. Many professionals, including the American Physical Therapy and American Occupational Therapy associations recognize the qualities of therapuetic riding.
What do we Offer?
- ASPIRE Therapuetic Riding Programs offers classes in Spring, Summer, and Fall on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
- CAMP HOPE is a day camp program during the first week of August that offers a variety of fun-packed activities for participants.
- ASPIRE offers a mini-visitation program at Central Intermediate School. Charlie visits a special education classroom, and educational lessons are offered to the individuals in the program.
How Could You Benefit?
Horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the riders body in a manner similar to a human gait. Riders with physical disablities often show improvement in flexibility, balance, and strength. Children and adults with a disablitiy gain developmental improvement from this program. Therapeutic Riding works with anwide range of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.
- Amputation
- Autism
- Brain Injuries
- Stroke
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
- Emotional Problems
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- Learning Diabilities
- Hearing, Visual, and Speech Impairments
- Mental Retardation
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Injuries
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Be a Volunteer, Help Make a Difference
ASPIRE is looking for volunteers who want to donate their time on a continual basis or for a one-time event. Leaders and side walkers are needed for evening classes. Volunteers can also help with grant writing, fundraising, data entry, and serve as assistant instructors and barn assistants.
Come Share in the Heart of an ASPIRE Child today!
Contact Marilyn Moore at (319) 296-3096 oruse our convienient online form on our ContactUs page.
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