HorseFriends working to secure its future Fundraisers such as a ‘Sweet Spring Gala’ on Friday, April 9, are hoped to help fill financial gaps by ANNETTE JOYCE Lisa Bunch became involved with HorseFriends of North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Program about 16 years ago. At the time, her 10-year-old son, Simon, was dealing with multiple mental issues including Asperger’s syndrome and bipolar disorder, and his counselor mentioned HorseFriends might be helpful in improving his condition. Simon’s growth through the program was phenomenal. In fact, over time he moved from being a participant in the program to becoming a volunteer and helping others. “Watching my son grow up in the
program was such a blessing. He gained confidence in himself as he learned to ride, and the smile on his face after winning a ribbon in a horse show was priceless,” said Bunch, who lives in Stokesdale. “Simon worked hard and eventually became a volunteer as a sidewalker.” A faith-based organization, HorseFriends works with individuals – most, but not all of whom are children – who have special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. Through equine therapy and educational programs, the organization has been extremely successful in developing confidence, physical and emotional strength and a sense of joy shared by its participants and volunteers. Located at Still Water Farms in Summerfield, HorseFriends offers classes in which participants, with the help of
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Our primary care providers have one goal in common: keeping you and your family healthy. As part of a world-class academic medical center, we have access to a broad range of services focused on high quality, affordable care.
Our primary care providers have one goal in common: keeping you and your Sameand next-day appointments often available. care for life family healthy. As part of a world-class academic medical center, we have access Our primary providers have one goal affordable in common: to a broad range of care services focused high quality, care. FAMILYon MEDICINE – SUMMERFIELD
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you and your family healthy. As partyou ofand a world-class Ourkeeping primary care providers have one goal in common: keeping 4431 US Highway 220 North Sameand appointments often available. Summerfield, NC 27358 your familynext-day healthy. As part of a world-class academic medical academic medical center, we have access tocenter, a broad range of | Wakehealth.edu we have access to a broad range 336-643-7711 of services focused on high quality, services focused on high quality, affordable care. FAMILY MEDICINE – SUMMERFIELD affordable care. A Wake Forest Health Network practice. 4431 US Highway 220 North, Summerfield, NC 27358 Sameand next-day appointments often available. often available. Sameand next-day appointments 336-643-7711 | Wakehealth.edu/PrimaryCare A Wake Forest Health Network practice.
FAMILY MEDICINE – SUMMERFIELD care for life FAMILY – SUMMERFIELD 4431 US HighwayMEDICINE 220 North Summerfield, NC 27358 4431 US Highway 220 North Our primary care| providers have one goal in common: keeping you and 336-643-7711 Wakehealth.edu 27358 yourSummerfield, family healthy. As NC part of a world-class academic medical center, A Wake Forest Health Network practice. we have access to a broad| range of services focused on high quality, 336-643-7711 Wakehealth.edu affordable care.
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APRIL 1 - 14, 2021
A Wake Forest Health Network practice.
Same- and next-day appointments often available.
Photo courtesy of HorseFriends
Grace takes a ride on Tucker, while volunteer Rebecca (left) and HorseFriends’ operations director, Mandy Crews (right), walk alongside for safety. volunteers, spend time riding trained therapeutic horses and engaging in activities such as dropping balls into buckets and grabbing rings – activities that further enhance the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding. The main thing that sets HorseFriends apart from other such organizations is that its services are absolutely free. The program currently has a full slate of participants and a list of kids
waiting eagerly to join the program. Limited funding is hindering its ability to handle everyone who is interested, and also brings into question the organization’s future. HorseFriends relies on grants, donations and fundraisers to keep its program going. “Because of COVID and donations being down, we are having to do whatever it takes to keep the doors open,”
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