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08 May 10

HorseAbility ...

May 8, 2010
By Nancy Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

If you have seen the catchy Pepsi Refresh commercials lately, offering millions of dollars in grant money to help people start something new, or refresh a program that helps in their community, then you will want to check this out. One of Long Island’s very own amazing non-for-profit organizations, HorseAbility, is in the running for a 50k grant to help them build a new and needed riding ring. HorseAbility offers therapeutic riding programs, hippotherapy programs and summer day camps to children, adults, and families with special needs to promote the physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual well being of its participants.

HorseAbility’s program has been relocated from the facility that they have been housed on. The riding rings they spent many years developing for use for their programs are no longer available for HorseAbility to use. Without a ring they cannot continue to function and offer the amazing programs they do. HorseAbility will be unable to provide the safest and most beneficial therapuetic riding lessons and hippotherapy treatment sessions for children and adults with special needs. By building a new ring for their program, approximately 60′ x 120′ or larger, constructed with proper drainage with all weather footing for their horses, this will ensure their programs can run year-round. HorseAbility needs your help, and all you need to do is vote, once a day until the end of May. To have this incredible grant awarded to them, they need to be in the top ten of the voting. They are currently in 15th place, and are competing with 288 other organizations nationwide. 

With the new ring they can ensure saftey for the horses, riders and volunteers. This ring will provide a place for their beautiful equines to be turned out to roll, run and play with the herd when they are not at work. 

HorseAbility’s founder Katie Kilcommons McGowan said, “I am very excited to have this opportunity from Pepsi. I am thrilled to have the community be a part of this by voting everyday. We offer programs to people with special needs in the surrounding communities. It is wonderful for the communities to give back and help us be successful. Vote for HorseAbility!” 

HorseAbility is one of the only North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Premier Accredited Centers on Long Island. This prestigious title is awarded to centers that demonstrate excellence in providing quality, professional equine assisted activities. This voluntary process recognizes NARHA centers that have met established industry standards. 

So the next time you crack open a can of Pepsi or pour a glass to enjoy, think about how easy it is for you to help a local, much needed organization just by the click of a mouse. HorseAbility needs your vote! Simply click the link below to vote and ask your friends and family to do so also. Come on Long Island we can do it! 

http://www.refresheverything.com/connectpeopleofspecialneedswithhorses 

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