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madjac

April 29, 2013

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1 previous review
June 30, 2011

If you ever wanted to ride a horse, or you love horses, you understand why this organization is so valuable. For people who are physically challenged, NCTRC gives an opportunity to ride with safety, ... more

April 29, 2013

NCTRC has been around on various farms since our daughters were high schoolers looking to do some volunteer work. They are now in their 30's and our oldest has continued to volunteer and support NCTRC in many capacities, serving on the board, teaching riding, even as director. After 20+ years, NCTRC has the potential for a home farm and the growth that will serve the population it is meant for. The program staff has always been very safety minded, very professional, with many physical therapists doing the hippotherapy and teaching the classes. The farm they are trying to purchase is beautiful and has the ideal indoor arena so classes go on regardless of weather. They serve students of all ages and abilities, and now are trying to add classes for wounded warriors. The VA has a facility in nearby Durham and they should have this component available. This Center is recognized and valued by the community. They offer the opportunity to have therapy outdoors doing a 'normal' activity with animals. The horses are expensive to maintain, everything has gone up. It is too easy to say, this is too expensive and too hard to offer. It enriches lives of people who are at a disadvantage, it allows people who love animals, the access to share their lives. I hope you will support this organization and help them continue in their dedication and ambition to build a world class center for therapeutic riding.

More feedback...

Was your donation impactful?

Definitely

How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?

Definitely

How likely are you to donate to this group again?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2013

June 30, 2011

If you ever wanted to ride a horse, or you love horses, you understand why this organization is so valuable. For people who are physically challenged, NCTRC gives an opportunity to ride with safety, mobility and the joy of 'doing'. The act of riding is stretching and comforting to muscles that must be worked for health, but the joy of being one with a horse is a special gift. It is liberating, it is loving. The staff and volunteers at NCTRC are special people who meet a big overhead every month to keep horses fed and fit to ride. Tthey fall in love again during every class --ith students, the horses and the positive, magical atmosphere of Clearwind Farm. We donate time, financial support and I was on the board. I consider NCTRC most worthy of support, It is an outstanding organization, a very special place in North Carolina that we should all support.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

watching the success of improved function of students and in happy laughing of every class.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Make NCTRC a high profile organization in the Triangle so that people know who and where they are and appreciate the great work they do.

Sheila Northen - charity reviews, charity ratings, best charities, best nonprofits, search nonprofits

Sheila Northen

June 28, 2011

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June 28, 2011

In my experience as a volunteer with the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center (NCTRC) I’ve volunteered as a horse leader for classes, and been trained and certified as a Special Olympics Equestrian Coach.

NCTRC makes miracles happen. I have seen children and adults with traumatic brain injury, blindness, mobility problems, and mental illness; improve balance, strength, relaxation, speech, social skills, and confidence. It's just amazing!

If you like a volunteer activity that makes your face hurt from smiling, this is the place for you.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

classes

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

help them find more volunteers

christine marklin khoury - charity reviews, charity ratings, best charities, best nonprofits, search nonprofits

christine marklin khoury

June 28, 2011

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June 28, 2011

I've volunteered at the NC Therapeutic Riding Center and cannot imagine a group more dedicated to the nurturing of children With disabilities. Outstanding!

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Seeing the wonderful results with the children in the program, increase self esteem, strength, etc.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

i cannot think of any.

BetsyKath - charity reviews, charity ratings, best charities, best nonprofits, search nonprofits

BetsyKath

June 27, 2011

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June 27, 2011

NCTRC is a miraculous place! Dedicated volunteers and staff consistenly welcome and work with adults and children of all abilities. Using horses as a "therapy tool" they guide and assist their clients (and clients' familes) in their quest for independence and confidence.

The facility, Clearwinds Farm, is a dream location! They have a farmhouse that serves as office and "hotel " and classroom for workshops and visitors. They have a huge covered arena and outdoor arena. This allows them to work in most any weather. There are beautiful rolling pastures and lots of farm animals to enjoy.
The programs are year round with all abilities camps in the summer in addition to therapy sessions.
NCTRC hosts teaching seminars and certification classes for therapeutic riding instructors. They also work with nearby universities on research projects to better understand the impact and effectiveness of hippotherapy.
This organization has evolved over many years into a powerful service group with a major impact!

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I have enjoyed contact with clients at NCTRC fundraising events and have heard their enthusiasm about their success.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I would supply them with resources to expand the programs they currently have in place and realize the plans and the vision they have for the future.

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Debbie

June 5, 2011

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June 5, 2011

As a board member of the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center, I am most impressed with the dedication of its volunteers, professionals and board members in their efforts to promote the effectiveness of the Center on all levels. I have personally witnessed "lessons" and been myself rewarded by the happy faces of the riders. There is no doubt that the clients experience positive psychological and therapeutic results.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Please see above.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I am not certain about this.

jam148 - charity reviews, charity ratings, best charities, best nonprofits, search nonprofits

jam148

June 3, 2011

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June 3, 2011

I have seen the great strides that therapy riding can accomplish in so many different individuals, as a result of the work of dedicated individuals at NCTRC. The benefits of therapy riding are not ones that should be understated, and I hope more organizations such as this keep working as tirelessly as it does!

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Gaining personal awareness of the benefits of therapy riding, and have, as a result, helped to spread the word of such great organizations such as this.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Make it clone itself!

nctrctreasurer - charity reviews, charity ratings, best charities, best nonprofits, search nonprofits

nctrctreasurer

June 2, 2011

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June 2, 2011

I have been on the Board of Directors of NCTRC for about 2 years now, and have been continually amazed by the quality of work the organization does and the effect it has on the lives of its participants. NCTRC is a great demonstration of what a talented and dedicated group of individuals can accomplish to improve the lives of others. Seeing children and adults with physical or mental challenges giddy with excitement and pushing their own limits is truly an awe-inspiring experience. The connection between horses and people that NCTRC fosters is clearly therapeutic and is a huge positive in the lives of people with some major challenges.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Seeing the participants work with the horses and expand their own boundaries. I also work with several people whose children have been participants in the program, and all universally praise the work of the organization.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Expand the donor network to allow even more clients to be served by the organization. Rider fees pay only a minority portion of the cost of the programs, so a robust donor network is essential.

jabbood - charity reviews, charity ratings, best charities, best nonprofits, search nonprofits

jabbood

June 2, 2011

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June 2, 2011

I first became affiliated with the NCTRC back in the fall of 2009 through a friend of mine who is a current board member. My company offers service volunteer grants to any organization that employees support, so I had asked her how I could help out. She told me they were looking for some volunteers to help spruce up the place, so I got together around 20 of my co-workers and headed out to Clearwind farm to paint the interior of the farmhouse. When we first got out there I couldn't believe how nice the facilities were! Over the course of a couple of days we had finished painting, and I had gone back to my normal life.

The next week I got a call from Robin Barefoot, who is the current head of the board, thanking me for helping out and inviting me out to actually come see one of the sessions. I accepted her offer and came out there one afternoon to see what therapeutic riding was all about. What I saw changed me- there is no way that you could look at the look of joy on those kids faces and not feel your heart melt a bit. Talking with the parents of these children who have been dealt a bad hand in life was even more eye opening. They all told me how much the programs offered by NCTRC had helped the development of their kids and the effects they had seen in their motor skills, balance, and general demeanor and attitude. I went home that day knowing I had seen something truly amazing.

I proceeded to help out the planning for a fundraising event that spring centered around the Preakness, and after that I received another follow up call from Robin asking If I would be interested in joining the board. I have done and continue to do a lot of work with the Special Olympics of North Carolina (interesting aside, the volunteer coordinator for the SONC who I worked with is actually Dot Kohlbach, who was one fo the orginal founders of the NCTRC back in 1977- small world!) so I'm pretty passionate about enriching the lives of people who have developmental disabilities. I'm not a horse person at all , but I know what I had seen was something special and that I wanted to be a part of it. I accepted her offer and joined in the summer of 2010. In the last two years, I have seen the organization grow and evolve in ways I would have never thought possible in such a short amount of time. It has become a sustainable, strategically guided organization that really makes a difference in hundreds of children's lives in the greater Triangle area.

-Jeff Abbood

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Seeing the progress that our riders have made in the two years I have been involved.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Expand the coverage and programing more to have sessions more tailored towards the many veterans in central NC who are returning with head injuries.

More feedback...

Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

Definitely

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

Life-changing

Will you tell others about this organization?

Definitely

How did you learn about this organization?

My long-time friend and now fellow board member Evelyn Chojancki introduced me to the NCTRC.

What is this organization's top short-term priority?

We want to retain and nurture our current volunteers and donors as well as cultivate new resources to allow the NCTRC to continue to grow and furthur our mission to empower children and adults who face physical, mental, emotional and social challenges to create active, healthier and more fulfilling lives through equine assisted activities and therapies.

What is its top priority in the long run?

We want to be the leading provider of equine assisted therapy in the area, as well as partnering with the fantastic schools here in the research triangle of NC to become a leading advocate for equine assisted therapy for chilren and adults with a large range of challenges.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2011

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3 hours of volunteer time for this nonprofit will...

see a child with developmental delays say her first word. Or enable the only hour all week that an adult has spent out of a wheelchair. Or put together a mailing that will help those moments keep happening! Or host a social gathering to introduce more people to NCTRC. We'd love to find the perfect volunteer job for whatever amount of time you'd like to give! Volunteer