(Text from streaming video release on Tekoa Therapeutic Riding Program, August 4, 2004)
Therapeutic recreation graduate Tiffany Smith gives encouragement and praise to teen leaders, young riders and their four legged friends during a therapeutic riding session on a farm in Christiansburg, Virginia. RU’s therapeutic recreation program is accredited by the National Council on Accreditation for Park, Recreation and Leisure Services and prepares its graduates for leadership roles like Smith’s. She coordinates a grant-funded program to assist troubled youth to gain self esteem while helping physically disabled children reach their potential.
Tiffany Smith, ‘98/ Equine Program Director: “I didn’t think I would be in horses. I really didn’t. I thought I would be working in a hospital somewhere. I never thought I would be lucky enough to actually put the two together.”
Teens who have encountered abuse, neglect and other school, family or community difficulties are participants in Tekoa, a nonprofit agency providing residential treatment and special education to help youth overcome problems. Once a week these teens forget their own troubles to assist children with physical disabilities.
Smith: “This is a great chance for our kids to give back to the community and gain some skills, empathy and appreciation for what they are given. And it gives a chance for those kids to ride when it normally isn’t an opportunity for them.”
Nisha/ Tekoa teen: “We help other people instead of worrying about ourselves so much. We have the opportunity to worry about someone else instead of being so selfish and worrying about ourselves. The children leave and they have smiles on their faces because they love the horses and they love what we do with them.”
The teens work with 6 children aged 5 to 15 years with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and autism. Riding horses gives these children a different type of therapy.
Smith: “They get the physical benefits. When you’re on a horse it causes movement in your body you can’t get just walking. It causes lower back movement and they use muscles in their legs and thighs. It works on posture, flexibility, stability and things like that. And then at the same time they’re getting socialization. They get to interact with our kids and they get to interact with each other. They get enjoyment. In the traditional physical therapy office where these kids can spend a long time, It’s really driven and intense with the focus being rehabilitation. With this, the secondary effect is rehabilitation and the enjoyment is the primary. They come here for the enjoyment, but at the same time they’re getting benefits from the physical as well”
Cathy DeHart/ Grandmother of disabled child: “I’ve seen the girls become very close with the children and the girls be so much more in tune to the special needs the kids have in just the little bit of time. The therapists are great. They’re all having a good time and they’re all just happy.”
If you would like more information about the Tekoa therapeutic riding program, call Smith at (540) 382-9995.
August 4, 2004
Media contact: Ann Hillenbrand, (540) 831-5182