LAST WEEKS SPEAKER NOTES-Feb 25th

Jill introduced Lisa Shkolnick, from the Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA).  The program started with one participant, one horse, and three volunteers.  HETRA has grown over the years and now has 19 therapy horse, 21 certified instructors over 118 students.  HETRA offers therapeutic riding, hippo (horse) therapy, equine services for veterans and therapeutic carriage riding. The academy is  non-profit organization and is currently the only PATH accredited therapeutic riding center in Nebraska.

 

HETRA serves a variety of participants including children and adults, from 2 - 92 years of age, with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, brain tumors, head or spinal cord injuries, visual impairment, autism, development delays and strokes.  In 2014 the academy served 192 unique participants per week.

 

The academy has had volunteers donating over 18,000 volunteer hours per year.  These volunteers provide services over 115 participants per week.  The volunteers work hands-on with participants but they receive a physical workout walking in the arena footing during the therapy sessions  Volunteers are used n the arena but are also utilized outside to groom and tack horses, care for the barn, stalls, tack and toys.

 

Services are for veterans challenged with PTSD, brain injuries, anxiety, Short and Long Term memory loss and communication issues.

 

Volunteers are needed for special events and fund raisers and of course, financial assistance is welcome.

 

The horses utilized in the therapy sessions are already in their 2nd and 3rd careers, coming from carriage racing, law enforcement patrol, etc.  There are 8 different breeds utilized.