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Hope Haven Horse Farm one of 12 United Way partner agencies
Editor’s note: This is another in a series of features on the 12 partners of the Putnam County United Way.
What if you could provide a special needs consumer in your community a unique opportunity to grow physically, cognitively and emotionally; promote confidence, self-esteem and social interaction; or could be a part of one-of-a kind technology development that not only educates, but promotes all areas of growth for the special needs in your community; or could support a unique research effort being implemented in Putnam County that will change the therapeutic riding industry globally?
What if you knew it was actually possible to do all of these things at the same time by supporting the United Way through one of its partner agencies -- Hope Haven Horse Farm?
Hope Haven Horse Farm, located on U.S. 40 at the Putnam-Hendricks county line, has been providing PATH certified therapeutic riding lessons to Putnam County since 2000. These therapeutic riding lessons utilize horses as a catalyst to improve physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral health of all clientele served.
In 2012 Hope Haven’s collaboration with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology provided it with a new vision in providing hard data into the measurable outcomes therapeutic riding provides. Through continual collaboration with Rose-Hulman, Hope Haven has been able to utilize and research with technology such as a horse simulator, rein simulator and bio-feedback devices of rider positioning.
In 2015 ISU’s Occupational Therapy Students collaborated via a balance study comparing the technology and actual horseback riding. These students have also assisted with a standardized documentation process to bring about change in the industry on how we measure. The results of the past four years are staggering in regards to the physical and cognitive growth of clientele. Hope Haven is not only promoting growth in Putnam County special-needs residents through its Rose-Hulman/Christy Project but are pace setting changes in the industry’s methods of standards and measurements on the whole.
At Hope Haven, new technology is continually being designed, tested and researched in an effort to promote growth for our clients, all therapy fields, and therapeutic riding internationally.
Funding from the United Way is instrumental to continue to provide services and growth of the Rose-Hulman/Christy Project at Hope Haven.
“We feel blessed to be a partner of the United Way agency and blessed by all who give in this community,” Hope Haven Executive Director Christy Menke said.
For more information or for a private visit to see Hope Haven at work, email cmenke@hopehavenhorsefarm.com or visit the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hopehavenfarm/
Hope Haven Horse Farm
10416 E. U.S. 40, Coatesville, IN 46121
Contact: Christy Menke, executive director
Website: hopehavenhorsefarm.com