Mission Statement: Lend A Hand Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that utilizes equine-related activities for the therapy of individuals with physical, developmental and emotional differences. We offer both Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding. Hippotherapy is a practice in which physical, occupational, and speech therapists employ the horses's movement as a treatment tool to improve neuromuscular function, language and fine motor skills. Therapeutic Riding is a practice in which a riding instructor makes use of the horse and equine-oriented activities to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, including cognitive, physical, emotional, social, educational and behavioral goals. It is our philosophy to provide our services in a safe, caring, natural farm environment; and to treat our students and our horses with the compassion and understanding needed to accomplish any given goal as a team.

Description:
The Lend A Hand Therapeutic Riding program began it's operation in 2004 providing therapeutic horse riding for physically, mentally and socially challenged individuals. Our programs are designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, muscle weakness, multiple sclerosis, attention deficit disorders, muscular dystrophy, learning disabilites, sensory integration issues, behavior problems, dyslexia, dyspraxia, speech impairments, down syndrome, mental retardation and more. For these individuals, equine therapy offers many benefits. Students involved in our program experience improvements in balance, posture, flexibility, motor skill development, coordination, strength, muscle tone and most importantly, self-confidence and much needed self-esteem. We have seen children who have improved their physical, cognitive, social and emotional well-being by learning to ride in our program. At Lend A Hand we instill a great sense of success, confidence and accomplishment in all our students. For these riders, the rewards can be priceless! Our program consists of professional riding instructors, licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists, trained & dedicated program assistants who work as volunteers to assist as horse leaders, side walkers and caring for the horses.

History:
The Lend A Hand Horse Farm was established in 2004 and operates as a therapeutic riding center for the physically and mentally challenged. The Lend A Hand Therapeutic Riding Foundation, founded in August 2007 now leases the property from Lend A Hand Horse Farm and oversees the total operation of the therapy riding program. A twelve member Board of Directors controls the financial responsibility of the entire organization, conducts fundraising activities, applies for capital improvement funding, and provides sponsorships towards those who qualify for financial assistance with therapeutic riding sessions. We are centrally located in a pristine country farm environment in western Cranston, Rhode Island surrounded by serene open pastures, outdoor riding areas, modern indoor riding arena and an interactive riding trail. The door is open to others who share the same vision that may want to join our organization.

Contact people:

Maureen Searle, Operations Manager, (401) 826-9278, (email) Jessica Moses, Program Director, (401) 826-9278, (email) Thomas Citak, Vice President, (401) 828-7358, (email)

Address:

151 Laten Knight Road Cranston, RI 02921 (See a map)

Directions:

FROM POINTS SOUTH: Take I-95N to 295N. Take Exit 4 Plainfield Pike/Rt-14. Turn Left onto Plainfield Pike. At the second traffic light turn Left onto Comstock Parkway. At the next traffic light turn Right onto Scituate Avenue/Rt-12.. . . (more)

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Solutions for Children, Youth, Families
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	No
What type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)(3)