Over 1.8 million nonprofits and charities for donors, volunteers and funders
48 Pageviews Read Stories
Causes: Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations, Human Services
Mission: The cheff therapeutic riding center was incorporated january 29, 1960, as a michigan non-profit corporation. The purpose of the organization is to improve lives through the therapeutic use of horses. The organization opened in 1970 as the united states' first therapeutic riding center built specifically to serve the disabled. The cheff center focuses on what individuals can accomplish, not on their limitations. Participation is available to riders of all ages and abilities. Cheff center clients include: at-risk children, mentally and emotionally impaired, sight or hearing impaired, down syndrome, ms/md/cerebral palsy, autistic/learning disabled, cystic fibrosis/cancer/brain injuries, add/adhd, and other disabilities.
Target demographics: Individuals of all ages who struggle with physical, mental, emotional, and/or cognitive challenges.
Direct beneficiaries per year: Over 450 individuals with the support of over 400 volunteers.
Geographic areas served: Cheff serves clients all over Southwest Michigan with the largest percentage coming from Kalamazoo County.
Programs: Therapeutic riding - year-round riding classes. Therapeutic riding challenges individuals to achieve and improve physically and mentally. The benefits include: "increased muscle strength "improved confidence; increased self-esteem "increased balance and mobility "ability to stay on task; focused "increased range of motion "behavioral improvements
hippotherapy - literally meaning "treatment with the help of the horse. " the benefits provided by hippotherapy include: "increased mobility "positive effect on respiratory function "improvement of symmetry, body awareness, spinal orientation and strength of posture "improves self esteem, confidence, motivation and increases attention span