Our Therapy Horses

There are many elements to Cheff Center, but the most important of them all is our therapy horses.  The therapy horses at Cheff Center are very special, and not just because they are special to us.  It takes an exceptional horse to be a therapy horse at Cheff Center.  

Due to the variety of disabilities our clients have, the horses can be under very unique circumstances.  We have to have the confidence that the horse is okay under those circumstances.  Some of our clients have difficulty controlling their muscles or, due to their cognitive impairments, what they say and do are very different things. A horse may hear a command to stop, but the rider's feet are telling the horse to go.  Therefore, the horse has to be able to discern between the two.  Some clients have limited mobility and have to be mounted on the horse via an electric lift.  That is not something that many horses would be comfortable with. We want to be sure that the horse is happy with the Cheff Center lifestyle.

At one time, Cheff Center's stalls were full.  We had 40 horses.  Now we only have 15.  We take horse donations from all over the country, accepting horses between the ages of 7 and 12.  We are fortunate that there are a lot of gracious people willing to donate their horse to our organization.  Unfortunately, on average only one in 15 horses make it into our program.  They go through a vigorous trial period.  Instructors and volunteers observe the horse to determine if they are a good fit for the program, but most importantly if they seem happy.  

Clients are carefully paired with the horse that best suites them.  The relationship between client and horse is very important.  Cheff Center is always looking to add more therapy horses so that we may continue to serve our growing network of clients.  We thank everyone that considers donating their beloved horse and hope they will be a fit for our program.  These horses truly change the lives of our clients every single day.  





*This was done for course content purposes and is in no way associated with the organization.*

Meet Kim

We are lucky to have a phenomenal staff and group of volunteers at Cheff Center.  We wanted to take the time to recognize Kim, our fearless program and volunteer coordinator.  Kim came to us with years of experience with horses and therapeutic riding.  She grew up riding and has very special ability to connect with clients.  She is very skilled in working with people with disabilities.  Under her direction, the individuals feel like they are enjoying a regular horseback riding lesson.  She is personable and has the knack for making the participants laugh.  Her lessons are so chock--full of humor that it's impossible for our clients to not have a smile on their face!

Kim is also the voice of Cheff Center.  She frequently gives speaking engagements around the area educating the community about Cheff Center and therapeutic riding in general.  Kim has made visits to South Korea to help the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) develop therapeutic riding in their country.  The South Korean government funded the KRA's agreement with Cheff Center having Kim give lectures on horsemanships techniques around the country for eight weeks.  Through this experience, Kim fostered a relationship with KiJeong University which resulted in their students traveling to the U.S. to volunteer and learn directly from Cheff Center.

If that weren't enough, Kim oversees all of our 250 plus volunteers.  Cheff Center has volunteer, internship, and instructor in training programs.  Kim is the coordinator for all three of these programs.  She trains our future therapeutic riding instructors, giving them valuable hands on experience under her mentorship.

We can't say enough about Kim or how grateful we are to have her in the Cheff Center family!


*This was done for course content purposes and is in no way associated with the organization.*

5 Reasons Why You Should Volunteer at Cheff Center

Students from South Korea Volunteering at Cheff Center

There are a thousand reasons why you should volunteer at Cheff Center, but here are just five that might help you consider the opportunity.

1.   Impacting Lives

It goes without saying that through volunteering, you are impacting many lives.  Cheff Center has hundreds of clients that they serve each year and the effects that therapeutic riding has on them are truly life changing.  A good volunteer makes the difference in how much a student achieves in therapy.

Cheff Center could not operate without its volunteers.  It is a non-profit that operates solely thanks to the generous contributions from donors and support from the community and its volunteers.  Therapeutic riding has proven to provide phenomenal emotional and physical results that other types of therapy cannot achieve.

2.   Getting That Pony You've Always Wanted

Just like the rest of us, did you ask for a pony growing up? Well, here is your chance!  Not everyone had the ability to ride or have a horse growing up, but some of us never loss the love for these beautiful creatures.  Volunteering at Cheff Center gives you the opportunity to get to know, love and care for 15 amazing therapy horses. You don't need to know a lot about horses to volunteer with us. You have the chance to take riding lessons; learn mounting, dismounting and handling techniques; and showmanship.  In addition, you will learn about the horse's well-being such as saddle fitting and horse psychology.

3.   Developing a Variety of Skills

Volunteering at Cheff Center gives you the chance to develop a multitude of skills.  You are not only growing your knowledge in working with horses, but you are developing people skills too.  Volunteering is said to increase your social and relationship skills.  We have over 250 volunteers that you will have the chance to work with.  Cheff Center has a very diverse clientele. Volunteering at Cheff gives you the opportunity to interact with individuals with many different disabilities.  Developing your skills in working with people with disabilities is a fantastic opportunity not afforded to everyone.

If bettering your ability to work with people with disabilities isn't what brings you to Cheff Center, there are many other tasks that volunteers can assist with.  Kim, our volunteer coordinator, uses volunteers for barn chores, special projects, event planning, fundraising and clerical projects.

4.   Making a Difference in Your Community

They say that volunteers are the glue that holds a community together.  Volunteering helps you make a stronger connection to your community and, in the process, makes it a better place to live.  Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center was the first therapeutic riding center in the world.  We have a reputation world-wide that is actually better known nationally and internationally than locally.  It is through our volunteers that we continue to spread the word about Cheff Center and its amazing impact to our local community.

5.   Changing YOUR Life

Volunteering is good for your mind and body.  It increases self-confidence and helps you stay physically healthy.  Valuable people and career skills can develop through volunteering.  Not to mention the network you are building as you get to know other volunteers from your own community.

Volunteering at Cheff Center provides a very special opportunity for fulfillment.  Many volunteers say their time at Cheff Center truly changed them. One volunteer said, "If I could be here every day, I would.  It's just a happy place."  The opportunity to watch the improvements clients make in their lessons and how it impacts their life and their family is a magical experience.

2014 S.T.A.R Recipient Theresa Grossi

To volunteer at Cheff Center, please sign up online at: 

http://www.cheffcenter.org/volunteerpaperwork.php

*This was done for course content purposes and is in no way associated with the organization.*

Who Benefits from EAAT?

EEAT stands for equine-assisted activities and therapies.  Working with horses can have an incredible impact, both physical and emotional, on people with a variety of disabilities. 

Here are 10 disabilities that benefit from therapeutic riding and equine assisted therapy:

1.   Amputations
People who have had an amputation can be a successful rider. The use of hippotherapy found that participants had increased speed and distance.  There is also the possibility of adapting equipment to accommodate people with amputations of either upper or lower extremities.

2.   Attention Deficit Disorder
Horseback riding requires the attention of both the instructor and horse.  Children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) learn how to control their horse while becoming more independent.  Lesson length is modified to accommodate attention span as the participant goes through the program. 

3.   Autism
Both therapeutic riding and equine-assisted therapy such as hippotherapy can impact the life of a person with autism. Children with autism improve in sensory integration and attention after participating in a therapeutic horseback riding program.  Children who participate in speech hippotherapy sessions can improve in at least one of the following areas: verbal and/or nonverbal communication, relating to people, or listening, 

4.   Cerebral Palsy
Riders with cerebral palsy can progress from riding with side walkers to riding independently.  People with cerebral palsy that participate in hippotherapy with a physical or occupational therapist can improve control of their heads and bodies and maintain these improvements after the treatment therapy.

5.   Stroke
People who have experienced a stroke may have challenges with certain areas of their body due to damages the trauma caused the brain.  Some of these challenges include loss of the use of a limb, balance problems, or difficulty with speech.  Through the use of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy, participants can strengthen those areas once again.  The strengthening of their core vastly improves their balance.

6.   Deafness
People with hearing impairments are able to develop specialized ways to communicate with their horse and instructor in therapeutic riding. The feeling of independence is very empowering for these individuals, immensely improving their self-esteem.

7.   Learning Disabilities
Since horseback riding incorporates a variety of senses and methods, it provides people with learning disabilities the opportunity to learn through their preferred method: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic.  This helps with the motivation to learn in these individuals. The horse's response to the participants' commands is valuable reinforcement to continue learning.

8.   Multiple Sclerosis
Riding within their limits of strength and energy, therapeutic riding can be a great source of exercise for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).  Hippotherapy can have great effects on posture and balance in participants with MS.

9.   Muscular Dystrophy
Riding may be adjusted to the ability of the rider.  Participants with muscular dystrophy may start out as more independent riders, but will need extra support as the disease progresses.  Riding helps with flexibility and exercise while providing emotional benefits as participants cope with the changes in their bodies due to the advancement of the disease.

10. Visual Impairment
People with visual impairments can be very independent riders.  Accommodations can be made to assist riders with visual impairments such as instructor guidance over a PA system or audible markers in the riding arena.  Individuals with visual impairments can even participate in equestrian events.




*This was done for course content purposes and is in no way associated with the organization.*

Cheff Center Success Story

Imagine if you had difficulty walking, sitting, or even breathing. The sisters shown in the video have spinal muscular atrophy; they have a challenging time doing what most others take for granted every day.  With physical therapy, they were able to make slow improvements, but four years ago their lives changed dramatically. Four years ago these sisters began going to Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center.

Cheff Center has made a tremendous difference in the girls' lives.  Therapeutic riding can do what other types of therapy can't do.  Riding a horse is a three-dimensional movement; it mimics that of walking. Since taking up therapeutic riding, the girls have substantially strengthened their cores. Through riding, their muscles have become stronger and their posture has improved.  Not to mention the emotional benefits that come with riding the horse. "They are so happy just to be here," said the girls mother, "and after they ride they get to go back and give the horses treats so they really love coming here."



Charlene Swain, who works with both girls, has been a physical therapist for over 30 years.  She is impressed with the results the girls have had from therapeutic riding. "Kids tend to get tired of other kinds of therapy and don't want to participate, but that never happens with this kind of therapy," she said.

Experiences like this are made possible thanks to the support of our community and donors.  With your contributions, we are able to create more success stories like Brooke and Brielle's.  As you can imagine, it takes a lot of resources to care for 15 horses.  There are many different ways you can donate and support Cheff Center such as: online donations, horse donations, adopt-a-rider scholarships, or donating items on our wish list.  For more details, please visit the Support Cheff tab on our website: http://www.cheffcenter.org




*This was done for course content purposes and is in no way associated with the organization.*