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OUR MISSION:
To brighten
and inspire the lives and hearts of those with special life
challenges through the benefits
of equine assisted activities.
PEOPLE WE SERVE:
Children and adults of all
ages who:
*Are physically
challenged
*Are underprivileged
children with special needs
*Have mental
challenges, learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder.
Down
Syndrome.
PROGRAMS OFFERED:
Each rider
receives an evaluation by a physical therapist and/or a certified
riding instructor customized to
each individuals needs.
*Hippotherapy
*Therapeutic Riding
*Educational Riding
*Horse care and
safety
*Emotional
Development
*Competitive Drill
Team
*Equine Experiential
Learning Program
*Equestrian Special
Olympics
*Competition
HEART'S DESIRE THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHICS
Heart's Desire currently offers three types of services; Hippotherapy,
Equine Assisted Activities, (Youth Intervention, Development and
Redirection), and Therapeutic Riding.
We operate on a 40 week year with the remainder of the weeks being
designated to program planning, national conference, training, and Holidays.
Our spring session runs for fourteen weeks and our fall session runs for ten
weeks. Summers are eight weeks and designated for camps, fun events, and planning.
We currently serve 117 children ranging in age from 2-18. Our
clients are referred by physicians, therapists, and state intervention/assistance programs
for families with disabled children. All the children we serve have a variety of disabilities; the most common are
cerebral palsy, autism, and ADHD. We also serve clients with mental
challenges, spinal chord injury, brain trauma, developmental delays, and
Aspberger syndrome. Each child must provide a complete medical history and
physician's release to participate in the program.
Of the four counties we currently serve, Tate and Panola Counties are
considered underserved areas with economic restrictions. Economic support
is limited and many children in these counties are unable to pay fees for
service. We have found that one out of five children needs scholarship
assistance and we turn no child away due to inability to pay.
We also serve an adult population through the Baddour Center, an adult
assisted living community, and private referrals that involve disabilities
such as Multiple Sclerosis, Mental Challenges, and various syndromes.
Our current client population consists of Caucasian, African American and
Hispanic.
Through the public school involvement we are seeing an increase in cross
cultural participation and an increasing awareness in the community of the
services provided through Heart's Desire Therapeutic Riding Center.
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In memory of and in
dedication to the one who shared the dream
Thomas J (Buckeye) Stricklin
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Delight yourself in the Lord; And he will give you
the Desires of your Heart.
Psalm 37:4
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