River Cities Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the wellbeing of disabled persons through equine facilitated activities. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of therapy, education, sport and recreation/leisure.
At RCTRC, we strive to assist people to reach or return to a high quality of life with enjoyment and self-fulfillment. Our staff of volunteers is dedicated to helping clients reach their highest level of independence through teamwork, compassion, and therapeutic programs that are designed to each persons special needs.
It is our philosophy that we offer our clients a variety of activities with compassion and understanding. The client and the client's family are an integral part of the team. Our team consists of therapists, riding instructors, horses, trained volunteers and the client. We provide education and other programs to help both clients and their families adapt to their lives.
Developing Confidence and Independence
Compassion is the key word! Our staff is more than a team of highly experienced specialists. They are a group of people and animals who are genuinely concerned about each client's well being.
Horseback riding helps mentally and physically challenged people achieve a quality of life that is improved, enhanced and enriched. Based on input from doctors, therapists, teachers, parents, significant others and the client, goals and objectives are designed to complement ongoing therapy and education. The benefits of horseback riding are threefold:
Physical: The three-dimensional motion of the horse provides the rider hip and back movements that simulate natural walking. Riding relaxes and strengthens muscles and improves body tone, posture, balance, joint mobility and coordination.
Emotional: Contact with horses and horsemanship training provides a non-competitive setting for learning new abilities, self-discipline and improved concentration building self-confidence.
Social: Horseback riding nurtures a positive self-image. Riders may, for the first time in their lives, experience some independence and a sense of being part of a team.
RCTRC serves children and adults with a variety of mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities. Therapists and Instructors design and monitor individualized treatment plans for each client to address their physical, emotional and social needs while they learn skills of horseback riding. Individual and class goals encourage each rider to be the best he or she can be both on and off the horse.
River Cities Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. was founded in January 1995 by Connie Sue (Gilkeson) Boggess, MS, CTRS and Brenda McGahan, PT. Through putting their hearts and souls in to a pilot project that was presented at the Marshall University School of Medicine, 8th Annual Research Day in March 22, 1995, the center began operations. Beginning with four riders, two horses and Connie as the sole instructor and Brenda as the therapist, the program has grown in nine years to serve over 300 riders with six horses, volunteers and have the use of Golden-Aire Farm as its permanent location. Volunteers assist in serving the needs of our riders.
The strength and the success of RCTRC is reflected through the dedication and support of many individuals. Volunteers are a vital part of the team that strive to maintain quality services and meet industry standards. Together with the therapists, Board of Directors, and horses, volunteers assist in serving the needs of our riders.
The day-to-day operations are coordinated by the Executive Director, while a Board of Directors oversees general operations. The actual lesson program is coordinated by the Executive Director with the help of a Volunteer Coordinator and staff of dedicated volunteers.
RCTRC is preparing its facilities and staff to become accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). NARHA supplies therapeutic riding programs across the country with insurance, technical assistance and training in safety and teaching techniques. There are approximately 700 NARHA operating centers in the United States. This is a goal for RCTRC.
We pride ourselves in having an Executive Director that has received ongoing education from NARHA, is in the process of becoming a Certified Instructor by NARHA, and a Special Olympics Coach. At present there are four volunteers who are in the process of becoming Registered Instructors with NARHA.
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Cities Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
