Equine-Assisted Services Volunteer

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About EMERALD HOLLOW THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER, INC

Location:

235 RUN HILL RD, BREWSTER, MA 02631, US

Mission Statement

To enrich the lives of children and adults with special needs on Cape Cod by providing individualized Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies.

Description

In spring of 2001, Emerald Hollow Farm began as a small boarding and rescue farm, taking in older and unwanted horses who needed a forever home. After a few years we added a horseback riding lesson program for children and adults. In the spring of 2010 we were contacted by Latham Centers and began a weekly therapeutic riding program. It was then that the magic happened as we watched the horses bring such joy and self-esteem to individuals with special needs. In addition to learning to ride, the students also learned how to safely handle and care for their mounts and we watched the bond between student and horse grow even deeper. Shortly after Latham Centers began riding with us, we were contacted by Cape Abilities to run a similar program for them. In addition, we began to be contacted by veterans and families and individuals who were interested in a therapeutic riding and horsemanship program.

By 2014 the therapeutic program had grown to the extent where additional staffing, volunteers, and equipment was needed and we began to pursue the dream of finding like-spirited individuals to help us form a separate, nonprofit corporation that would allow us to assist people with special needs. In May of 2015, "Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc." was established.

In December of 2017, Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center became the first PATH International Premier Accredited Therapeutic Riding Center on Cape Cod. Additionally 2017 saw an increase of 45% in ridership and a total of 117 trained volunteers.