History
In the Beginning
By 1988, the program staff began to see the need to be more selective in the choosing and training of the program horses, and the need to focus the riding sessions more toward learning the skills of horseback riding. By 1989, the organization had matured and strengthened. The Executive Board had expanded, fomulated long and short term goals, developed a mission statement, and had begun to refine the delivery of services.
Early in the spring of 1990, the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission (MNCPPC) expressed interest in having a therapeutic riding program housed at the Equestrian Center in Pr. George's County, Maryland. PETS began operating at the EC, with borrowed horses and tack, and adaptive equipment was gathered from volunteers and community members. PETS soon began to learn how to fix, adapt, accommodate, utilize, seek donations, find horses and still provide lessons for the students. The years at the EC have allowed the program to continue in its growth and evolution.
The MNCPPC has provided PETS with the wonderful opportunity to learn how to manage all aspects of the program while being protected financially. The program has been fully responsible for horse and barn management, horse selection and training, program development and implementation, volunteer recruitment and training, development of forms ncecessary for rider evaluation, registration, medical review, screening, lesson forms and all other related forms necessary for both riders and volunteers.
PETS has grown from borrowing horses, tack and equipment, to now owning at least 10 horses which have been donated over the years from the community, as well as all tack and adaptive equipment, much of which has also been donated. The program itself has refined its mission from that of a generalized approach to therapeutic riding into a program of skill based therapeutic sport instruction. The experiences of the last years have prepared the program to move into the next phases of growth and development.
Goals
PETS' long term goal is to expand from a six month, part-time operation into a year-round, full-time, full service program delivering horse related therapy and recreation. PETS intends to provide opportunities for the classically defined disabled and non-traditionally recognized disabled population of this region. PETS has the expertise to provide a high level quality program. However, to fulfill this goal, the program needs to be located at a permanent facility. This will provide a year-round safe and secure stabling program for the horses, adequate pastures, secure storage, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, accessible buildings and toilet facilities, classroom facilities, office space, water, electric, and telephone services.
The PETS program, under it own control, can continue to grow to its full potential. The program can achieve a long-term goal to increase the horse related services and activities which include, but are not limited to: special education augmentative programming, sensory integration, hippotherapy, challenge programs, carriage driving, horse management skills, and job-skill training. These specialties would be phased in as the class schedule is increased.
The expanded facility would allow the program to offer services to public and private schools along with special interest organizations for the disabled, such as Veteran's groups, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries, the emotionally impaired, autism, etc. There is a need for community based therapeutic/recreational opportunites for the disabled who are no longer eligible for school based services and programs. The relocation would allow program enhancement to effectively provide services for these neglected groups.
Volunteers
PETS' greatest asset is the cadre of volunteers. For example, in 2002 there were 81 volunteers to provide hands-on services to the students. Another 26 volunteered through ancillary services such as fund-raising, donations and community support. Documented service records, which are kept for lesson nights only, totalled 8,214 hours. Hours recorded for other duties or projects amounted to over 5,302 hours. These 13,516 volunteer hours, which do not include other hours that go unrecorded and unrecognized, are what makes this program successful. Currently, these efforts make it possible for PETS to provide services for the students at NO CHARGE.
Our volunteers are willing to tackle any job, from clearing fence lines, driving fence posts, digging drainage ditches, painting a 34 stall barn, carrying heavy ring equipment in and out of the riding arenas each week, working in the heat of the summer and the cool of the fall and spring seasons... the list is endless. Many of our volunteers drive many miles to help out, from as far as Virginia, DC, and from many points around the State of Maryland.
The PETS program already provides an excellent opportunity for school required volunteer service hours in a goal oriented and well supervised service program. Non-disabled 4-H programs, community equine based organizations, as well as other community service organizations may be included in the use of this facility.
Our volunteers also come from all walks of life. We have volunteers from the law profession, entrepreneurs, physical therapists, special educators, Air Force officer, government workers, occupational therapists, professor of psychology, high school students, business people, secretaries, computer specialists, Homemakers, horse people, day care specialists, and just about any imaginable profession!