Making A Difference in Your Community : Horse Riding Gives Balance to Special Kids
At the Special Equestrian Riding Center in Agoura, volunteers help people with disabilities learn balance and motor skills by riding horses.
But the lessons often go two ways.
“We can learn a lot from our riders,” said Nora Fischbach, program director of the center, which uses horses in physical therapy for people with a wide range of disabilities, including head wounds, Down’s syndrome and multiple sclerosis.
Although volunteers help to motivate the riders to perform a series of tasks at the group’s 1,000-acre ranch in Agoura, the riders can also be inspirational.
“When the kids try hard, it motivates them to try hard too,” Fischbach said. “They can see that their problems aren’t as difficult.”
The 50 riders in the program range in age from 18 months to 60 years, but most are children. Every attempt at every task is cheered by volunteers and when the riders perform in the shows held by the center or other groups, there are no losers.
“Our philosophy here is trying is winning,” said Fischbach, adding that volunteers are as much a part of the cheering squad as the rider’s family.
“I think the best part of volunteering is that you become part of an extended family,” Fischbach said.
Former riders who have overcome their disability have gone on to become volunteers themselves, she said.
Volunteers work in teams of three, working 30 minutes to an hour and a half with each rider every week. The program differs from other physical rehabilitation programs because the horseback activities are more fun and can subtly teach students the nuances of walking and balance.
Equestrian rehabilitation programs have helped children who have never taken a step before learn how to walk.
The riding therapy program was created by parents of disabled children in 1987. Fischbach said volunteers are needed because of the center’s loss of its stable of summer volunteers. No special skills or knowledge of horses are required. However, the better volunteers are those who are comfortable working with children with disabilities, Fischbach said.
Volunteers are asked to commit to working at least three hours a week. Therapy sessions are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Volunteers must be 13 years or older. Training, including CPR and first aid, is provided. To volunteer, or for further information, call Fischbach at (818) 776-6476.
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The Pet Orphans Fund is looking for volunteers to help exercise and care for dogs and cats. Volunteers are required to take classes at the kennels. The group is looking for commitments of at least 10 hours a month. The pets can be exercised on the weekends or during the week. The Pet Orphans Fund, a private, nonprofit group in Van Nuys started 25 years ago, matches families wanting pets with animals. For more information call (818) 901-0190.
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Adults who would like to read aloud to groups of children are needed to help with a Glendale Public Library program. Volunteer readers are needed for weekday afternoons at three library sites and for weekend mornings in local elementary schools. Interested adults must be willing to give two hours a week for at least 10 months. No experience is necessary. For more information or to register call Carolyn Flemming, coordinator of children’s library services, at (818) 548-3999.
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Docent training has begun at the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom, 2600 Franklin Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills. Training is held on Saturdays with most classes scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The outdoor classroom is one of six offered by the Mountains Education Program, a nonprofit group whose goal is to foster respect and understanding of the natural world. For more information call (310) 858-3090.
Getting Involved is a weekly listing of volunteering opportunities. Please address prospective listings to Getting Involved, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, 91311. Or fax them to (818) 772-3338.