Horses Touching Hearts 

Click 2018-2019

Annual Report

Horses Touching Hearts Therapeutic Riding Association

3765 Aitken Road, Smithers BC, V0J 2N7

Phone: 250-900-0156 or 250-877-9167

E-mail: horsestouchinghearts.bc@gmail.com

Web: www.horsestouchinghearts.org

As President of the board, I want to take this opportunity to update you all on the activities at HTH during 2018-2019 and to recognize the numerous volunteers who have supported HTH and myself over the past year in various ways. Whether encouraging the riders while side-walking, leading the horses or supporting our therapeutic riding instructors during lessons, we appreciate the time and effort they put in. Thank you Tara Palm, David Ford, Tegan Dove, Christina Johnstone, Elizabeth Trappl, Joy Beamish, Kathy Eddy, Carl Eddy, Bryce Deveau, Naiomi Gourlay , Anne VanderHeyden, Wendy Perry, Markus Egenolf and Carrie VanVeldhuizen.

I would like to thank all of the Directors sitting on the board for all the support that they have provided me during the past year. Unfortunately we have had one director step down from the board, I would like to thank Johannes Egenolf for his time, dedication and all the help during the first year of our organization.

I want to thank our therapeutic riding Instructor Carley Vander Heyden. Through her dedication and hard work, our riders have received the most amazing and inspirational lessons. Always striving to achieve the best possible outcomes and making each volunteer feel valued.

The board continues to act as a governance oversight for HTH and to provide support to the staff and volunteers through the work done at the committee level. Thank you Barbara Erni and Jill Weeres.

During the past year we have been able to provide a safe environment for 14 students and steadily growing . It is difficult to put into words or quantify the benefits therapeutic riding brings to our riders and families. Each rider has goals and aspirations. Through the expertise of our staff and volunteers, they might be working on improving their core stability or posture; or working on their communication skills or independence, amongst other thigs. The testament to how effective our program continues to be, are all the anecdotal stories about fundamental improvements in the riders quality of life.

HTH continues to grow from starting in August 2018 to strength. The organization has spent a year concentrating on filling grant applications and improving our facility. We were able to build an outdoor riding ring and to buy two surcingle’s and a Fjord Horse for our program. Thank you to the Bulkley Valley Community Foundation, Bulkey Valley Credit Union, Evelyn 4H club and Wetzin’kwa for making this all possible. Thank you also to all the private Donors, this would not be possible without your help.

Angelika Egenolf President of the board

Welcome

 The Horses Touching Hearts Therapeutic Riding Association is a non-profit organization located in Smithers , British Columbia.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with cognitive, physical, emotional or behavior disabilities by providing them with affordable therapeutic riding of the highest possible quality in a safe and supportive environment.    

HTH was founded August 2018 and started providing therapeutic riding lessons. We now have 14 current participants, 2 therapeutic riding Instructors, 20 active volunteers and a herd of 4 therapy horses.

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Our People

Our Board of Directors

The HTH relies on the help and guidance of amazing Individuals who dedicate countless hours to the work that goes on behind the scene. Thank you to the 2018-2019 Board Angelika Egenolf President; Johannes Egenolf Vice President and Secretary; Barbara Erni Treasurer and Jill Weeres. We thank Johannes Egenolf for his work as he moves on to other endeavours.

Our Volunteers

Since the creation of HTH by a small group of dedicated people, volunteers are the heart of our organization. From sitting on the board of Directors to assisting program participants, the list of accomplishments we owe this people would be too long to list.

Our Staff

HTH is proud to have Carley Vander Heyden CHA Certified therapeutic riding instructor as part time staff and Markus Egenolf CHA Certified therapeutic riding instructor as volunteer.

Our Herd

We started the year with 2 of our very special 4-legged therapists : Jonas and Aska. We were fortunate to find 2 additional horses to complement the group with Timmy and Holger.

Our Program 

Adaptive Riding Classes ( Therapeutic Riding )

Therapeutic riding is an equine-assisted activity for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special need. It provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport, recreation and leisure. With horseback riding, participants are given the opportunity for independences and mobility.

Group classes consist of up to two riders and their own team of helpers: 1 horse handler and up to 2 side walkers. The instructors create lesson plans adapted to the individual goals of the riders in the group.

In 2018-2019, we welcomed 14 individuals. Our program is running 3 days a week already and steadily growing.