June 2016 • Volume 1, Number 5
Every Issue Complimentary Every Time
SANTA YNEZ VALLEY THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM
New lift system helps students
Photo by Raiza Giorgi Therapeutic Riding Program Installs new ‘SureHands’ Lift System to help students like Steven Molina get on and off the horses more easily.
New machine makes horsing around much easier by Jessica Schley Contributing Writer
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or some people with special needs, mounting and dismounting from a horse is a true barrier between them and the healing world of therapeutic riding. Thanks to the philanthropy of some generous donors and the hard work of multiple staff members and volunteers, the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program now boasts its very own, brand new, medical-grade SureHands Lift System for mounting and dismounting riders of all sizes, ages and physical abilities. “One of our instructors, Merilee Conley, was instrumental in getting this project completed. She’s been advocating for this lift for a long, long time, and she went out and found the manufacturer. There is really only one company in the U.S. that has them, and it was very expensive. The unit alone cost $8,500. There is only one distributor in California that sells a lift that will work for horses,” said Executive Director Robin Serritslev of Therapeutic Riding. Beyond that, she said, it took an entire team of people, and quite a long time, to accomplish this goal. The acquisition of this new tool will allow the program to expand its access to even more students; it also helps to mitigate the risk of injury to students as well as staff by completely changing the way in which students are helped to mount and dismount. The lift allows one operator to assist the student with mounting, while one other handler holds the horse and keeps it still
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Look! There’s more inside…
Gala anniversary for Fossemalle
Miss Christine celebrates 30 years of teaching dance.
Page 12
Local farmer creates foundation
Ed Seaman begins nonprofit to support small farmlands
Page 22
Mobile winery honors firefighters
FDNY truck pays homage to those lost in 9/11 tragedy
Page 29
Olive Grove returns to the valley State board saves charter school program
Page 34
June events
Keep up to date on what’s happening in the valley
Page 38