NTRC receives grant to advance therapy with horses

Posted 12/17/21

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center received a $3,000 grant...

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NTRC receives grant to advance therapy with horses

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NAPLES — Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC), a non-profit organization providing therapeutic horseback riding and other equine-facilitated group services to children and adults with physical, social and mental health needs, received a $3,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County (CFCC) to advance its new occupational therapy with a horse program. The funds were awarded by the CFCC Student Philanthropy Council, a student-led philanthropic initiative in partnership with Youth Leadership Collier Foundation. Students from the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Collier class of 2021 serve on the philanthropy council and selected NTRC as one of three nonprofit programs in which to invest.

Occupational therapy with a horse uses the horse’s movement in combination with assistance from NTRC’s Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy Specialist, PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and volunteers to strengthen core, balance, focus, and speech improvement for children and adults.

Sessions are conducted by long-time NTRC supporter, volunteer and clinical partner, Mary Fellenz, OTR/L, who is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist with more than 25 years of experience.

The intensive, semi-private, two-rider lessons are provided weekly for six-weeks. These highly specialized services are differentiated from NTRC’s core equine-assisted therapeutic riding program because it provides an even more individualized treatment to address impairments, functional limitations and more intensive disabilities.

Ryan Pike, an 11-year-old with autism, recently completed the six-week occupational therapy program. In the sessions Ryan worked on sequencing and hand coordination while doing math facts, sight words and puzzles all while on the back of a horse.

“He has so much fun and doesn’t even realize he is in therapy. It has been an amazing addition to his treatment,” said Ryan’s mother, Amy Pike. “NTRC is a very special place. Ryan feels accepted and is able to learn and grow in a relaxed, supportive and unique environment.”

The grant funds will specifically help underwrite the annual part-time salary expense for NTRC’s Occupational Therapy Services Coordinator.

“We are so grateful for the Community Foundation of Collier County for their continued support in expanding our occupational therapy with a horse program,” said NTRC Executive Director Missy Lamont. “These services provide an effective and affordable therapeutic service option for children and adults with neuromotor and sensory dysfunction in Collier County. This generous funding ensures our ability to provide these more intensive therapeutic services at a greatly reduced fee structure for our families.”

About the Community Foundation of Collier County
The Community Foundation of Collier County, now in its 36th year, is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization established in 1985 to increase and focus on local private philanthropy. Today, the Community Foundation of Collier County manages more than 850 funds, collaborates with hundreds of nonprofits, holds over $276.6 million in assets and has distributed over $229.5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and community programs. The Community Foundation of Collier County is one of Florida’s fastest-growing community foundations. For good. Forever. Learn more at cfcollier.org or call 239-649-5000.

About Naples Therapeutic Riding Center
Established in 1997, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with physical, social and mental health needs through therapeutic riding and other equine-related programs. With a dedicated staff, herd of 16 horses and the assistance of nearly 400 volunteers, NTRC provides unique equine-assisted therapies to more than 800 participants per year. Through fundraising efforts, the organization is able to provide this vital therapy to those who need the service most, regardless of income level. Services are provided in partnership with local non-profit organizations and through physician referrals for individuals living with special needs and a range of emotional, learning and developmental disabilities. NTRC is the only Center in Collier County accredited at the “premier” level by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. For more information on programs or volunteer opportunities, visit NaplesTherapeuticRidingCenter.org or call 239-596-2988.

NTRC, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, horses, horse, therapy

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