June, 14, 2010

The Equestrian Therapy Program (ETP) at Fassett Farms in Cridersville, Ohio has been touching lives in a nine-county area in West Central Ohio for over 25 years. Our non-profit charitable corporation, established in 1982, is a premier center accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. ETP Instructors receive specialized training and certification which enables them to provide students with activities that exercise the spirit, as well as the mind and body.

Riding has proven effective as recreational therapy in the treatment of various disabilities including:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Autism
• Mental Retardation
• Down Syndrome
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Paralysis
• Brain Injuries
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Learning Disabilities
• Spina Bifida
• Sight Impairment
• Hearing Impairment
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional Disabilities

Riding is particularly beneficial for students with impaired motor function. The movement of the horse both relaxes and stimulates unused muscles, building muscle tone and improving coordination and balance.

For the emotionally impaired, the fuzzy and friendly quality of horses serves a marvelous purpose. The petting, grooming and mounting - all on a horse who stands quietly - then riding in a safe environment, surrounded by people who are caring and friendly, provides a reassuring basis for developmental gains.

Many of our students are able to learn to mount, walk, trot, canter, do all the exercises, dismount, "run up the irons," and put the horse away. For many, riding becomes the most important part of their lives, and their interest in horses provides new incentives for learning. Their vocabulary increases and they develop a desire to learn more about horses.

Purpose of a New Building
This new building will enable our Program to continue to provide therapeutic horseback riding to not only our current riders but we will also be able to keep up with the ever increasing demand of new clients that come to the Equestrian Therapy Program. We will also be able to continue with our new programming.

Over the last three years our Program has expanded to serve the behaviorally challenged and alternative learners with our learning model that provides unique learning opportunities to strengthen and develop lives. Our Program creates a stimulating learning environment for children that are at-risk of failing in the traditional classroom setting. We believe that many children become disengaged learners because they lack coping skills to process life events. The lack of life skills causes frustration and the students then fall behind in school or display negative behaviors. By utilizing the ETP Model, the students will gain new life skills that will help them stay out of trouble, stay in school and become more successful and productive students. The pathway for these life lessons is partnering with horses in a safe learning environment.

The Board of Directors has completed strategic planning and we have concluded that we need an additional building to house 8 horses, an office and conference room, and additional riding ring and an area for equipment storage. We are also planning to create a new entrance and parking lot. Riders, volunteers and staff park in the same area, which results in riders coming into contact with the vehicle traffic that comes in and out of the farm. There are also horses crossing from the barn to the arena by the parking lot, thus the traffic pattern becomes very heavy and unsafe.

Why K Buildings?
According to Michele Andrews-Sabol, Executive Director for The Equestrian Therapy Program at Fassett Farms, “we chose K Buildings because they were so helpful with our design, and were able to meet our unique needs as a therapeutic riding center”. Additionally, being a non-profit, price was a serious consideration, yet we have not felt that we have given up anything in quality. We are so pleased to work with a local company, who has taken the time to be so helpful to us.

For More Information on The Equestrian Therapy Program at Fassett Farms

The success of this program is totally dependent on donations. Anyone interested in learning more about The Equestrian Therapy Program at Fassett Farms are encouraged to visit www.etpfarm.org. Those interested in donating to the program or the building fund are encouraged to call 1-419-657-2700 or email their thoughts or intentions to etpfarm@watchtv.net