Turning Pointe Therapeutic Riding
Our mission at Turning Pointe is to provide individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional impairments the opportunity to experience a variety of therapeutic equestrian activities. Our goal is to enrich lives by sharing the remarkable advantages of equine therapy and encouraging the natural bond between horse and human.
Description:
Turning Pointe currently serves individuals from ages two to senior citizen, with disabilities such as mental retardation, Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain injury, spina bifida, autism, multiple sclerosis, learning disabilities, and hearing and visual impairments. Our riders experience improved muscle tone, balance, and coordination, gross and fine motor skills, and self-esteem. Turning Pointe is the only fully accredited member of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) in the state of Rhode Island and has been given Premier status as a handicapped riding facility. NARHA is a national organization dedicated to promoting and supporting therapeutic riding and provides standards for safety and quality for program activities, facilities and administration. We are dedicated to keeping to these high standards and increasing our client capacity.
History:
Turning Pointe, formerly In Harmony, began a pilot program in April of 1996, the program had grown to serve over 160 individuals from ages two to senior citizen, with disabilities such as mental retardation, Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain injury, spina bifida, autism, multiple sclerosis, learning disabilities, and hearing and visual impairments. Due to a lack of funding, the program had dwindled in the numbers of clients it served and in the summer of 2004, management made the decision to close temporarily and reorganize. Since August 2004, the program has been revamped and we are growing once again! Volunteers are priceless to Turning Pointe and keep our program running. They not only provide strong psychological assistance to our riders, but participate in the labors of horse maintenance, grooming, tacking and untacking, side walking, leading, long-lining and office tasks. At the present time, we have 45 volunteers available at a variety of times and for a vast assortment of tasks.
Contact people:
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Miriam Garber, Program Manager, (401) 364-0598, (email)
Rachel Seidel, Volunteer Coordinator, (401) 364-0598, (email) |
Office fax number: (401) 364-0598
Address:
Web Site: http://www.turningpointeri.org
Directions:
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From NRI or MA, take 95 South to Exit 2 in RI (Alton). Keep left at bottom of exit. Turn left onto Woodville-Alton Road. Continue on through 4 way stop to the single stop sign at the end. Turn right onto Collins Road. We are located 1/4 mile on the right at Red Rock Barn. Drive very slowly down the driveway to the big red barn. |
Miscellaneous Information
| Handicap accessible? |
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Yes
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| Interests Served: |
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Solutions for Children, Youth, Families, Helping People in Crisis
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| Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers? |
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No
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| Last updated on April 8, 2009 |
