Spirit Ride – a licensed SpiritHorse Therapeutic Center

We need you

Whether you want to provide a unique opportunity for your child, or feel drawn to volunteer - there is a place for you at Spirit Ride.

Registration for Fall 2017 now closed.

During the course of a Spirit Ride Session, clients come for one-hour lessons each week, with a designated horse and instructor. Students utilize a Sensory Trail, Therapy Arena and spend time caring for their equine partners to promote successful results. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, please complete the application and submit by mail. We will save them on a ‘recieved by’ date.

Volunteer Training

We offer a two-part course for those who wish to learn more about horses and their role in Therapeutic Riding. Those completing both classes will receive SRTC volunteer certification. The next class will be offered prior to the Fall Session: August 26, 2017 9am to noon To register: Please go to the upper right hand corner of this page and select “Sign Up for Volunteer Training!” from the drop down menu. If you would like to begin volunteering sooner – please email us at SpiritRideNC@gmail.com We will be more than happy to set up a one on one training session with you. ($20 will cover the cost of the training as well as your SRTC T-Shirt).

Amazon.com Wish List

If you prefer to give a specific gift, we have created an Amazon Wish List of high priority items needed to provide a safe, fun learning environment. The items are listed in order of priority so that we may continue to provide the most effective Therapeutic intervention possible. Special attention is provided to keep this list up to date and current for your convenience.

CLIENT APPLICATIONS

To provide the most attentive atmosphere possible, there is only one client family on campus at any time. All lessons are private and specifically individualzed. Therefore the amount of clients we serve is limited. After registration closes, clients will be put on a waiting list and will be notified as soon as an opening becomes available. We encourage you to submit applications as soon as possible so that you will be closer to the “front of the line” on the waiting list for any session you wish to register for.

We are unique in that we are committed to offering all private therapeutic riding lessons free of charge. Therefore, the success of our riders and this program depends on YOU. Please find it in your heart to make a gift to enrich the life of a special needs 'Spirit Rider'.

DONATE

What We Do

Therapeutic Riding involves the use of horses and equine-assisted activities in an effort to achieve goals that enhance physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral and educational skills for people with special needs.

Research based, proven methods. Never a fee.

Spirit Ride is committed to providing private Therapeutic Riding sessions free of charge to all accepted clients. Through working with the client’s Therapy Team (Educators, Community Professionals and Parents/Guardians) we are able to create an ideal environment relating to the individual client's specific needs. We give our undivided attention to the client and his/her equine partner for the entire duration of each session so that we may provide an opportunity to foster learning and personal growth (self-esteem, boundary setting, appropriate social interaction, as well as any cognitive or physical goals). We serve children with special needs - we affect families who need special care.

our mission
To provide children with special needs the opportunity to learn, grow and strive to become their ideal selves through equine related therapeutic activities.
Who we serve
Spirit Ride is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that serves the special needs communities of Western North Carolina.
why it works
The movement and sensory stimuli produce measurable results, but the magic comes from the accessible spirit of the horse that naturally speaks to the human soul.
how you can help
Whether you want to provide a unique opportunity for your child, or feel drawn to donate or volunteer - there is a place for you at Spirit Ride.

Our Team

We have found our purpose.

Patty Adams

Executive Director

Patty is certified in the states of NC and FL in Exceptional Child Education (K-12) with a focus on SLD and Deaf Ed. She received her Equine-Assisted Health Care certification in 2015 from Spirit Ride International. Her love of horses, the arts, and education are a perfect fit for Spirit Ride!

Karen Chong

Chair of Development Committee

Karen comes to us with an extensive background in fundraising and leadership development. Having served as President of the Jr. League as well as serving on the board of organizations such as the Children’s Museum of Portland, OR, she is a valuable resource to Spirit Ride.

Mary Belanger

Curriculum Director

Mary Belanger, a retired educator from Watauga County and certified SpiritHorse Instructor, has a BAE in Elementary Education, a Masters in Gifted Education and is a Reading Specialist. Being a gifted educator who was born to teach, she was unable to stop teaching after retirement. Spirit Ride has given her the opportunity to enjoy her passion for horses and education and we are thrilled to have access to her vast experience.

Caila Hall

Board of Directors

Caila is has been an intregal part of Spirit Ride since it’s inaugural year. Her willingness to always do whatever it takes to get the job done is a valuable asset to her riders as well as to the organization as a whole. As a certified volunteer and horse handler, Caila can often be found training the horses after a lesson or brainstorming ways to make SRTC as effective as it can be!

As the mother of a child with special health care needs, and an occupational therapist as well, I can’t say enough good things about what Spirit Ride has to offer. Through the use of horse-assisted therapy, Spirit Ride works towards improving skills such as balance, coordination, language acquisition, sequencing, and social skills, just to name a few. The children and families in our community are exceptionally fortunate to have Spirit Ride.

Elizabeth Jasper

MS, OTR/L, (Spirit Ride Mom and Volunteer)