Special Strides

Programs: In 2017, special strides, inc. , a path premier center, provided approximately 3,700 physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychotherapy sessions, riding or driving lessons or educational sessions for our 140 clients with a variety of disabilities. Fifty-six percent of the clients receive intervention from licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists and psychotherapists with specialized training mixing traditional therapeutic interventions, as well as the unique characteristics of horses, the motion and emotion, in a natural environment to provide therapy. Forty-four percent of the clients participate in adaptive riding and driving where instructors adapt their teaching methodology to teach individuals with special needs the necessary skills to engage in a recreational activity.

in 2017, fifty percent of individuals received over $110,000 in financial assistance. In 2004, the board of directors at special strides took a powerful step toward meeting the mission of special strides inc. . To provide individuals with life challenges specialized therapy services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy and equine assisted activities such as adaptive riding, adaptive carriage driving, and equine facilitated learning to enable them to reach their potential. To this end, the board of directors has established the steven werthan memorial fund to provide the necessary financial assistance to those in need of our services and programs.

volunteerism is integral to the functioning of all services and programs at special strides. Volunteers assist as therapy aides, horseleaders, office administrators, and fundraisers. Over one hundred individuals are trained annually to perform direct services (therapy aides and horseleaders). In 2017, more than three hundred teenage young leaders learned philanthropy and event planning and helped raise over $120,000. Organizationally, this requires a volunteer coordinator, volunteer educator, and teen fundraising supervisor. Special strides volunteers are not only our bridge to the community to fulfill community service requirements but also to provide future occupational experience/exposure through our mentorship.