To improve the quality of life of children and adults with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding.

Description:
ARCH improves posture, balance, mobility, range of motion, speech, concentration, attention span and self-esteem through the use of the horse. Volunteers assist riders, groom, feed and care for program horses. Office work is also welcomed, as well as help during events with horses, or at an educational booth. ARCH remains a 100% volunteer organization. Nationally accredited and nationally certified instructors.
Please see our website www.arch206.org for information on volunteering opportunities, programs offered, and events.

History:
The Atlantic Riding Center for the Handicapped became a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization in 1988. Our first riders began in May of 1989. Starting with one horse and one pony to service 15 riders, ARCH currently has 9 horses and ponies to provide service to over 200 clients a year. Therapeutic horseback riding improves balance, posture, mobility, the attention span, concentration, social behavior and self esteem. ARCH successes include children going from wheelchairs to walkers, from braces to running, non verbal adults saying their first words here, adults getting their first jobs, teens being involved in sports competition instead of just a spectator, riders going on to college to be special education teachers and therapists to give back! In addition to all this ARCH has an affiliation with local school districts special education departments and provides an onsite classroom curriculum to improve learning and life skills. ARCH is nationally accredited through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

Contact people:

Sue Adams, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Jill Baxter, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Rindy Faust, Program Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: on request through office

Address:

206 Asbury Road Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234 (See a map)

Web Site: http://ARCH206.org

Directions:

Please call for directions from your specific area. Specific directions will be given to ARCH. For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes

Overall Experience   
ARCH is a fantastic place to volunteer.

ARCH is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer. I was never very comfortble around horses before I started but am anxious to get onto my friend's. The riders are so much fun to be with. Every new thing they learn, you know you where there to help. It is a wonderful experience and I whole-heartedly recommend it. posted on October 19, 2005

Overall Experience   
It is fantastic volunteering.

posted on October 19, 2005

Overall Experience   
A very satisfying and rewarding atmosphere.

Volunteering for ARCH is a wonderful way to spend my day. I find myself wanting to spend more time at the facility and with the riders and volunteers. The ponies and horses are wonderful to be around and I was not very fond of horses prior to this experience. Now I find myself drawn to them. The work done at ARCH is amazing! I have never before seen a group of people come together and work as one unit. The results of therapeutic riding are incredible. There is something to be said for hearing a child speak their first word when no one knew if they ever would speak, or to watch a bllind child have the self-confidence to achieve their goals. I am fortunate to be in a position to watch miracles happen and work side by side with a wonderful group of people posted by ginsberg on February 19, 2003