STEP Case.indd

Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program
STEP—A Case for Support
We Believe in Miracles
Saratoga Therapeutic
Equestrian Program
PO Box 2918
Glenville, NY 12325-0918
[email protected]
http://stepup-nfec.org
At the Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program (STEP), we see miracles every day. There is joy in
hearing a child with autism laugh with glee as she practices flying like an airplane over ground poles
on one of STEP’s therapy horses. There is magic in seeing a sway back horse—that was destined
for slaughter before arriving at STEP—regain spirit as it carries its extra special cargo. And there is
great satisfaction and emotion in watching parents who see their children experience life-changing
connections with horses and volunteers through Hippotherapy and STEP-up.
Yes, at STEP, we believe in miracles.
“My daughter Emma is 15 years old and suffers from two disorders that give her poor balance, poor
endurance, and extremely low muscle tone, especially in her trunk. She has been in the STEP program
for three years and absolutely loves it. She perceives it as fun—not work—but I know it is very effective
and intense physical therapy. Kay and her staff are extremely professional and attentive to Emma’s
specific needs. I highly recommend the program.”
–Kathy Funk
A study in the School of Allied
Medical Professions at The
Ohio State University concludes
that Hippotherapy has positive
effects on gross motor function
in children with Cerebral Palsy.
Hippotherapy
People recognized the therapeutic value of horseback riding
as far back as 6,000 B.C.E. in ancient Lydia. Hippocrates, the
founder of Western medicine, thought there was potential in
riding for those who suffered from debilitating conditions. Fast
forward to the 1952 Olympic Games when Liz Hartel, a woman
from Denmark who lost motor control in her legs due to two bouts
with polio, won the Silver Medal in dressage at the Olympics.
Hartel attributed her recovery to her therapist—her horse, Jubilee.
“Hippos” is derived from the Greek word meaning horse and
Hippotherapy translated means treatment with the help of the
horse. Classical Hippotherapy, unlike therapeutic riding—which
can be taught by instructors with a basic level of knowledge
and certification—must be implemented by licensed rehabilitative
professionals, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and
Speech/Language Pathologists. Riders are evaluated, goals
are set, and exercises, activities, and therapeutic techniques
are selected to meet the goals. STEP offers not only Classical
Hippotherapy but also STEP-up, an exclusive program with a
multidisciplinary approach that progresses the rider along an
Equine Assisted Therapy Continuum first as a passive participant
(where the horse influences the rider), and then as an active
participant with outcomes seen in skill acquisition and leading
some riders to the Special Olympics.
“For the past 12 years I have had the pleasure to know Karen
(Kay) Stanley –White PT both professionally and personally as a
member of the STEP Family of Friends, which provides services for
children and adults with specials needs in a most unique way
using the horse to improve their lives. Watching the miraculous
results achieved by Kay, the STEP horses, and volunteer staff is
inspiring. We continually support them in their cause and look
forward to future developments in programming and the smiles
that they will bring to those they help.”
–Norman & Micki Massry
Research indicates the benefits include:
•
Increased range of motion and normalized
muscle tone
•
Improved gross and fine motor skills,
balance, posture, and coordination
•
Increased concentration, spatial awareness/orientation, self-awareness/discipline,
vocalization, and emotional stability
•
Increased independence and social skills
at home and school
•
Increased self-esteem from the acquisition
of new skills
•
Increased physical stamina with direct
cardiovascular and strength benefits
About STEP
Hippotherapy
STEP UP™
Therapeutic
Riding, Driving
Competition
The Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program is a 26year old 501 (c) 3 not for profit registered charity in New
York State that provides Classic Hippotherapy and STEPup to children and adults ranging in age from two-year
old toddlers to 71-year old senior citizens. We work with
children who have a wide range of physical, mental, and
emotional disabilities. STEP serves people with Asperger’s
Syndrome, Down’s Syndrome, Spinal Bifida, Cerebral Palsy,
Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Sensory Integrative
Dysfunction, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other special
needs; at-risk youth; and veterans who suffer Traumatic
Brain Injuries. STEP is a certified Hippotherapy program
driven by evidence-based methods from Physical Therapy,
Occupational Therapy, and Speech/Language Therapy.
satisfaction in helping others. Many of our volunteers go
on to become Equine Veterinarians or Physical Therapists.
This is a testament to the deep, rehabilitative relationships
STEP nurtures through its Equine Assisted Therapy
Continuum, Classical Hippotherapy, and STEP-up.
STEP enriches the lives of those we serve by providing
freedom and exploration for people who might otherwise
be confined to wheelchairs. We also make a difference in
the lives of our volunteers who experience great personal
And last, but not least, there are the horses. As a breed,
these horses do not exist. Their conformation and gait are
important, but secondary. The essence of a STEP horse
is its disposition—an elusive mixture of intelligence and
docility. Even the most conservative experts have reported
on the phenomenon of these horses, who intuitively grasp
the situation of the disabled rider and respond with
consideration. Patient during therapy, often standing
for long periods of time, these horses nevertheless react
with a normal exuberance when set free or mounted by
able-bodied riders. They respond quickly to the voice,
especially the instructors, but sense when to ignore the
sometimes erratic motion of their riders. Though beautiful
and magical to the riders at STEP, these horses are the
cast offs of the equine world and would go to slaughter
if it were not for the staff at the Saratoga Therapeutic
Equestrian Program.
“The [STEP] staff is fantastic. They are all so positive,
A STEP in the Right Direction
patient, and helpful it still amazes us. Jessica has
grown in her self-confidence, and we are sure at
least part of that has come from her riding and
the support of the STEP staff. Also, Kay White was
instrumental in identifying an issue with Jessica’s
right foot that resulted in treatment to correct.”
–Greg & Melinda Bradtke
At STEP, we know if we want to continue providing
the same great level of services, we need to
consider our future. We hope you’ll consider our
future, too. This year, our goal is to raise $300,000
to sustain STEP for the next three years. We will
also provide scholarships to our riders who
otherwise would not be able to come to engage
in Hippotherapy or STEP-up.
We currently serve 121 registered riders who have
come to depend on STEP. Our riders receive
benefits that they simply cannot experience in a
clinic. If we do not raise the funds necessary to
sustain our services, we will have to make difficult
decisions in the future. With generous support from
our community, STEP will continue to help people
with special needs in Upstate New York regain their
dignity and independence.
Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program
PO Box 2918 • Glenville, NY 12325-0918
[email protected] • http://stepup-nfec.org
PO Box 2918
Glenville, NY 12325-0918
[email protected]
http://stepup-nfec.org
Will You Take Up The Reins?
There is so much good that happens at STEP, but
we need your help to continue the pace. Please
consider supporting the Saratoga Therapeutic
Equestrian Program today. Donations of any size
will make an impact in our services. Giving is easy,
and there are many ways to donate including
pledges, multi-year gifts, and planned gifts.
At STEP, we witness miracles every day. Most will
say it is the horses making life brighter for our
clients who face unique challenges every day of
their lives. Equine lovers may say it is the clients
who save the horses, giving them a purpose as
they finish out their days on our farm. But at STEP,
we know that both scenarios are true—the people
need the horses and the horses need the people—
and they all need you.
According to a study in the Research Department
in the Autism Treatment Center in Dallas, results
suggest that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD), benefit from equine-assisted activities
especially after three and six months of riding.