7 minute read
non-profit Spotlight - Agape Therapeutic Riding
By Lisa M. Monge MSN, RN
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. 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.
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.
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.
Ben and Moya
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.
Point of Contact for Service and/or Community Donation
For individuals and families interested in service depending on location: Cicero, IN: Elizabeth Gorveatte @ northsitemanager@agaperiding.org Greenfield, IN: Jennifer Wright, eastsitemanager@agaperiding.org
Social Media:
Website www.agaperiding.org
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/agaperiding Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agaperiding/
Community Donation:
Please visit “The Agape Wish List” at https://agaperiding.org/give/. If you are able to donate, FIRST contact Agape Therapeutic Riding about the items listed. The contact number for donating is (317) 773 7433.
Testimonials:
Parental Worries into Tears of Joy Eli, 28 years old, cerebral palsy
Eli was 28 years old when his father visited Agape to learn about therapeutic riding sessions for his son — but Dad was still hesitant after meeting with Agape staff. Eli struggled with cerebral palsy and other therapies just hadn’t worked for him. He had ridden horses in the past and the family hoped that horses might improve his declining physical and emotional well-being. Before lessons at Agape could start, Eli suffered a serious health setback, spending six months in and out of hospitals, at times fighting for his life. But Dad and Agape stayed in touch, looking to the future. When Eli was healthy, a riding lesson was scheduled. On the appointed day, Eli arrived at Agape East accompanied by both Dad and Mom, who watched the lesson with a mix of excitement and caution. When Eli gave his horse, Duke, a gentle tap and the two started working together like they’d been partners for years, parental worries turned into tears of joy. Eli had found a new friend in Duke and a new place to belong in Agape — and despite serious health challenges, a family had found hope for the future. “Sorry Ma’am, He’s too Autistic” into “No Apologies Necessary” Brody, 8 years old, autism spectrum disorder
Jennifer introducing Brody to Beau
Brody is one of two siblings from the same family with autism spectrum disorder. He loves horses very much. But because of the negative behaviors that come along with his diagnosis, taking him to places like Brown County or a fair to ride a horse is not an option. I have been searching for a place for him to be close to horses. My thought was if it is the only time during the week he is truly at peace, there would be no cost this single momma would not pay. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brody was evaluated by two different facilities and denied by both. One manager told me, “I am sorry, Ma’am, he’s too autistic.”
Pain, hurt, frustration…anyone who loves someone with a disability understands the helpless feeling of your child being denied because of a diagnosis they did not ask for.
Those feelings and emotions changed! A co-worker posted a picture of her on Facebook with horses and mentioned her mom worked at a place years ago… it was AGAPE!
With anxiety and a little pit in my stomach, I got the information from Tiara and reached out.
I sent an email explaining….”I’m trying to get my autistic son some riding lessons. Not even lessons but I just want him to be able to ride a horse. He loves them but because of his disability and difficulty transitioning we are unable to just take him to normal places like Brown County. I took him to another place about a year and a half ago but they said he was too autistic…”
Jennifer teaching Brody to Groom Beau
We visited the Greenfield campus. It was beautiful. It looked like a puzzle. The manager, Jennifer, was warm, caring, understanding and offered a lot of reassurance for my anxiety. We toured and asked a lot of questions. As expected, leaving the facility was my reality (VERY difficult transition to the vehicle for my son) requiring both my nanny and me. I am not writing about this experience to portray my son in any negative way, but to mention the nurturing feedback from Agape Therapeutic Riding. Jennifer worked with me to tailor a transition plan for when Brody starts next week (transitioning from the horse to leaving). She also helped me choose four initial goals that will be closely monitored and are very flexible. I am cautiously optimistic! Thank you, Jennifer; I know it will take A LOT of time, but I am confident we will get Brody in the right direction. Most importantly, I am CONFIDENT a caring team is behind my son.
Within minutes, Brody boy felt calm enough to give Beau some sweet kisses. BE STILL MY HEART.
***YES, Jennifer at AGAPE saw my son Brody! She did NOT see a disability!
