Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Inc

IMPOVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN CENTRAL INDIANA THROUGH EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPIES AND ACTIVITIES.

THERAPEUTIC RIDING, ALSO KNOWN AS EQUINE-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES, IS AN ADAPTIVE, THERAPEUTIC, AND RECREATIONAL RIDING ACTIVITY WHICH FOCUSES ON IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. THROUGH LEARNING TO RIDE, PARTICIPANTS CAN ADDRESS A VARIETY OF THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES, INCLUDING COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND BEHAVIORAL GOALS. THE ABILITY TO CONTROL A HORSE, AS WELL AS ONE'S OWN BODY INSPIRES SELF-CONFIDENCE, TEACHES RESPONSIBILITY, AFFIRMS TRUST, AND BUILDS TEAMWORK SKILLS. FROM THE BEGINNING, RIDERS LEARN BALANCE AND COORDINATION WHILE RECEIVING THERAPEUTIC MUSCLE STIMULATION. AS A RESULT OF THERAPY SESSIONS, PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES SUCH AS A POSTURE, STRENGTH, AND FLEXIBILITY ARE IMPROVED. COGNITIVE BENEFITS ARE GAINED WHEN PARTICIPANTS GAIN SELF-ASSURANCE AND POISE, AND SOCIAL SKILLS ARE LEARNED IN THE SESSION THROUGH TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION. MORNING DOVE ALSO SUPPORTS HIPPOTHERAPY SESSIONS. HIPPOTHERAPY IS A THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT STRATEGY DESIGNED TO USE THE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MOVEMENT AND GAIT OF A HORSE TO TREAT PEOPLE NEEDING PHYSICAL THERAPY, SPEECH THERAPY, OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. MORNING DOVE PROVIDES FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, HORSES, AND HORSE HANDLERS FOR SPECIALLY TRAINED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO TREAT THESE PATIENTS. THE TREATMENTS IMPROVE ABNORMAL MUSCLE TONE, IMPROVE BALANCE, POSTURE, MOBILITY, AND COORDINATION. THEY ALSO HEIGHTEN MOTOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE FOCUS OF PARTICIPANTS WITH ATTENTION/AROUSAL DEFICIENCIES. PEOPLE LIVING WITH CEREBRAL PALSY, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, OR LEARNING DISABILITIES ARE EXAMPLES OF PARTICIPANTS WHO BENEFIT FROM HIPPOTHERAPY SESSIONS.FINALLY, MORNING DOVE OFFERS SEVERAL EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING PROGRAMS, INCLUDING PROGRAMS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH, CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, WORKSHOPS FOR SCOUTS, AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS ETC. MORNING DOVE ALSO PARTICIPATES IN EVENTS AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND OFFERS SERVICES FOR MILITARY VETERANS.DONATED USE OF EQUINE OPERATING FACILITIES IN 2011:MORNING DOVE OPERATES ITS THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM FROM AN EQUINE FACILITY IN ZIONSVILLE, INDIANA WHICH IS LEASED FROM A BENEFACTOR FOR $1.00 A YEAR. NO SERVICES OR BARTER AGREEMENTS WERE PROVIDED FROM MORNING DOVE TO THE BENEFACTOR IN EXCHANGE FOR THE DONATED USE OF THE LAND AND FACILITIES AT A BELOW-MARKET VALUE.