non-profit spotlight
AGAPE By Lisa M. Monge MSN, RN
THERAPEUTIC RIDING
Agape Therapeutic Riding was founded in 1986 by a mother and daughter team who combined their love for horses and children to develop a summer riding program for children with disabilities. By 1994, Agape was full-time and year-round, providing therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning, summer camps, and mobile visits. Agape originated in Cicero, IN, and has expanded to a second campus in Greenfield, IN. Accreditation
Agape is premier-accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). PATH premier accreditation ensures that an equine therapy center adheres to the highest standards of safety and professionalism in the field. This amazing organization serves individuals from age 4 and up and offers clients the ability to design a curriculum specific to a community, a school group, or an individual. Individual Adaptive Services
Although Agape Therapeutic Riding serves individuals with a wide range of disabilities, the most common (but not limited to) include: autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, reactive attachment disorder, cerebral palsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, oppositional defiant disorder, ambulatory/orthopedic challenges and Down syndrome.
34 Special Needs Living • August 2021
Adaptive services for any individual are based on physical, cognitive, emotional, social, spiritual and character development. Initially, the participant will focus on four goals, discussed with the campus manager and PATH certified instructor. Examples of a goal from each category include: normalization of muscle tone (physical), visual and auditory discrimination (cognitive), hopefulness (emotional), interpersonal relationships (social), connections with nature (spiritual), and/or self-control (character development). Riders gain strength in their core, better communication skills, reduced anxiety, more confidence, and the list goes on and on. Ultimately, Agape Therapeutic Riding hopes to reduce challenges for special needs families and help them find hope, healing and growth for their child by connecting with a horse. Groups, Veterans, and Memory Lane
For everyone at Agape, lessons are facilitated by PATH certified instructors dedicated to inspiring emotional, cognitive, social, and physical growth through interactive and engaging activities with horses. A curriculum may be designed for community and/or school groups as an interventional approach for individual alcohol
and substance use disorder or increased knowledge of safe relationships, bullying, suicide prevention, or awareness of abuse and neglect. Social, emotional, and cognitive areas of growth can also be addressed through one of the customized curriculums, such as: Mindfulness, How to be Awesome, Thinking Outside the Box, Unbridled Leadership, and/or Job Skills. Veterans are also encouraged to reach out! There is a specific program for the unique challenges they may be living with. Memory lane is for aging adults focusing on improved cognitive skills, socialization, confidence, mobility and strength. This program is designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and other physical or mental challenges. Some groups or organizations that may benefit from this service include adult day centers, community centers, senior care facilities, health and rehab facilities and churches. Community Involvement and Support
Agape could NOT operate without the 200+ volunteers that help riders each week. Additional volunteers are always needed around the barn. Agape also relies heavily on the generosity of individuals, companies, and communities to close the financial gap between what it costs for an individual to ride and the real costs to the organization. Philanthropy and gifts allow Agape Therapeutic Riding to continue to serve families with financial hardship through a rider scholarship fund. Unfortunately, Agape is only private pay, which means waivers or insurance do not cover services.
