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Cameron & Dixie
LifeStriders has made such a positive impact on Cameron's life. He has been riding for almost 3 years now and he still loves every moment of it. He has improved so much physically, mentally and even vocally. We are so grateful for all of the hard work the therapists have done with him, and for the horses that make it all possible. This organization changes lives and helps so many people with disabilities reach their full potential, and we are so very proud to be a part of it.
Help Cameron win the Triple Crown - Donate to his fundraiser
LifeStriders has made such a positive impact on Cameron's life. He has been riding for almost 3 years now and he still loves every moment of it. He has improved so much physically, mentally and even vocally. We are so grateful for all of the hard work the therapists have done with him, and for the horses that make it all possible. This organization changes lives and helps so many people with disabilities reach their full potential, and we are so very proud to be a part of it.
Help Cameron win the Triple Crown - Donate to his fundraiser
Kinsley & Piper
LifeStriders & our wonderful therapist has been a blessing to Kinsley in so many ways! Kinsley has improved her balance, her core strength, her speech and so much more! We have seen her growth since the fall of 2022 and will continue to provide her the opportunity of horseback riding therapy. We are so thankful for her to have this opportunity and wish that so many others could join in! This is Kinsley's happy place and she immediately smiles when she sees her pony, Piper! We hope you feel led to donate to this wonderful place that so many others can benefit from.
Help Kinsley win the Triple Crown - Donate to her fundraiser
LifeStriders & our wonderful therapist has been a blessing to Kinsley in so many ways! Kinsley has improved her balance, her core strength, her speech and so much more! We have seen her growth since the fall of 2022 and will continue to provide her the opportunity of horseback riding therapy. We are so thankful for her to have this opportunity and wish that so many others could join in! This is Kinsley's happy place and she immediately smiles when she sees her pony, Piper! We hope you feel led to donate to this wonderful place that so many others can benefit from.
Help Kinsley win the Triple Crown - Donate to her fundraiser
Maddox & Emma
There is no greater therapy than the love of a horse. Therapeutic Riding at LifeStriders has changed Maddox's life. Through the program he has gained the ability to communicate more effectively, an increase in confidence, and a decrease in anxiety. We can't say enough about the benefits of LifeStriders and our family wants to help raise needed funds to keep this vital program flourishing.
Help Maddox with the Triple Crown - Donate to his fundraiser
There is no greater therapy than the love of a horse. Therapeutic Riding at LifeStriders has changed Maddox's life. Through the program he has gained the ability to communicate more effectively, an increase in confidence, and a decrease in anxiety. We can't say enough about the benefits of LifeStriders and our family wants to help raise needed funds to keep this vital program flourishing.
Help Maddox with the Triple Crown - Donate to his fundraiser
Megan & Stormy
Since 2008 Megan was blessed to be at LifeStriders. Megan was born in 1994 with a global development delay of unknown origin. LifeStriders created a fluid, individualized treatment plan to address her challenges. Through the incredible work of professional therapists, horse specialists, dedicated volunteers and amazing horses Megan has flourished. Rain or shine, Saturday mornings mean a 30-minute drive to a world of acceptance, encouragement, support, learning, compassion, friends and JOY. Lessons incorporate strategic games, tasks and rider positions that have facilitated Megan to improve her posture, core strength, balance and stability, communication, social skills, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and color recognition. LifeStriders is a gift to our family, and we are so grateful.
Help Megan win the Triple Crown - Donate to her fundraiser
Since 2008 Megan was blessed to be at LifeStriders. Megan was born in 1994 with a global development delay of unknown origin. LifeStriders created a fluid, individualized treatment plan to address her challenges. Through the incredible work of professional therapists, horse specialists, dedicated volunteers and amazing horses Megan has flourished. Rain or shine, Saturday mornings mean a 30-minute drive to a world of acceptance, encouragement, support, learning, compassion, friends and JOY. Lessons incorporate strategic games, tasks and rider positions that have facilitated Megan to improve her posture, core strength, balance and stability, communication, social skills, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and color recognition. LifeStriders is a gift to our family, and we are so grateful.
Help Megan win the Triple Crown - Donate to her fundraiser
Nancy & Gunner
Hi, my name is Nancy Ellis. The LifeStriders team - staff, volunteers, and horses - have provided extraordinary care and support during two of the most challenging times in my life. Several years ago, I was drawn to LifeStriders after suffering a major stroke that, thanks to an experimental procedure, left me with only minor physical and cognitive difficulties, but enough to cause me to give up my job, and many activities I enjoyed. I joined the therapy riding class and was able to improve balance, coordination, and core strength, while the LS team provided the confidence building that I needed. I soon joined the volunteer team and in the following years witnessed amazing progress in many therapy recipients.
Recently, I was again struck with a major medical challenge: breast cancer. Again I faced both physical and emotional hurdles. The unwavering support and empathy of the staff, and volunteers, and the feeling of peace that the LifeStriders horses impart, helped me to overcome my fears and regain a sense of well-being. LifeStriders became and continues to be, my ‘happy place’, and continues to provide, the support, encouragement I need to continue my healing process. To anyone seeking comprehensive and compassionate therapy, I wholeheartedly recommend LifeStriders for their dedication to clients and commitment to excellence. They were there for me when I needed them most, and I know they will be there for others as well.
Help Nancy win the Triple Crown - Donate to her fundraiser
Hi, my name is Nancy Ellis. The LifeStriders team - staff, volunteers, and horses - have provided extraordinary care and support during two of the most challenging times in my life. Several years ago, I was drawn to LifeStriders after suffering a major stroke that, thanks to an experimental procedure, left me with only minor physical and cognitive difficulties, but enough to cause me to give up my job, and many activities I enjoyed. I joined the therapy riding class and was able to improve balance, coordination, and core strength, while the LS team provided the confidence building that I needed. I soon joined the volunteer team and in the following years witnessed amazing progress in many therapy recipients.
Recently, I was again struck with a major medical challenge: breast cancer. Again I faced both physical and emotional hurdles. The unwavering support and empathy of the staff, and volunteers, and the feeling of peace that the LifeStriders horses impart, helped me to overcome my fears and regain a sense of well-being. LifeStriders became and continues to be, my ‘happy place’, and continues to provide, the support, encouragement I need to continue my healing process. To anyone seeking comprehensive and compassionate therapy, I wholeheartedly recommend LifeStriders for their dedication to clients and commitment to excellence. They were there for me when I needed them most, and I know they will be there for others as well.
Help Nancy win the Triple Crown - Donate to her fundraiser
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Zoey & Slick
LifeStriders truly is my "Happy Place"! I get so excited knowing I'm coming for another session with my buddy Slick. My main goal is to work on physical therapy but I get so much more than that from my time here. I'm improving my communication when I give Slick commands, I work on my focus and attention by doing tasks while horseback, and I get to show my love for animals! I'm learning to conquer my fears, take on challenges, reach for the stars, and be proud of the "Life Strides" I've made! So please support LifeStriders and me by donating to Derby Days! Help Zoey win the Triple Crown - Donate to her fundraiser. |
Caleb & Alterra
When Caleb joined our family, we knew there was a possibility of him having special needs. It
wasn’t until many years later that he was diagnosed with autism. This was a whole new
learning experience for us as no one in our families had this. Everything has always been a
challenge for him as he could not keep up with his classmates on any level physically, mentally,
socially and cognitively. Anything that was an accomplishment for his peers was almost always
a defeat on his end. Having issues with gross motor skills, fine motor skills, understanding
people, core strength and making friends has been a challenge for a boy who only wants to be
like others and didn’t understand why he wasn’t. Always striving to make things better for
Caleb, he was enrolled with therapists since he was one year old to help out with OT, PT and
speech therapy. Due to Caleb’s disabilities, his anxiety has increased as he got older and
struggled to do anything his peers could do and was afraid of most animals including the small ones.
We heard about LifeStriders in 2018 and Caleb was hesitant at first due to him not being around such large animals that close. Caleb’s younger brother had started with LifeStriders three months prior so Caleb was able to get small doses weekly of what LifeStriders is all about. With
Caleb being familiarized with how LifeStriders works, he wanted to also start. Caleb just thought he was riding a horse and wasn’t aware that he was doing therapy. This helped with his fine and gross motor skills along with strengthening his core all at the same time. Currently Caleb is working in a small group setting which includes 2 other riders. The small group focuses on adding in social skills while riding which include making eye contact while talking, listening while being talked to and asking / answering appropriately.
Caleb has worked with many therapists including Christy, Rachel and most recently Elisa. He enjoys making friends with the side-walkers and volunteers and looks forward to going to LifeStriders weekly. Little does he know all this interaction with the great people who make
LifeStriders happen has increased his confidence. When asking Caleb his favorite part about LifeStriders, his response is riding the horses. Initially his favorite horse was Champion.
Champion made Caleb feel happy and confident and feels a personal connection to him as he likes to be silly. Caleb has recently grown close to Alterra. Alterra is a unique horse and has personal ties with Caleb regarding being sensitive to touch. Caleb knows what Alterra likes and
needs are so both of them can have a great experience. Caleb knows she is sensitive to her riders mood and feels Alterra has a calming effect on him. Caleb really likes working with Ms. Elisa and his side-walkers and is happy and appreciative of everything they do for him.
Your donation to LifeStriders helps people with disabilities be able to get the help they need while enjoying the therapy and not making it a chore. Thank you in advance for your support in making LifeStriders a continued success.
When Caleb joined our family, we knew there was a possibility of him having special needs. It
wasn’t until many years later that he was diagnosed with autism. This was a whole new
learning experience for us as no one in our families had this. Everything has always been a
challenge for him as he could not keep up with his classmates on any level physically, mentally,
socially and cognitively. Anything that was an accomplishment for his peers was almost always
a defeat on his end. Having issues with gross motor skills, fine motor skills, understanding
people, core strength and making friends has been a challenge for a boy who only wants to be
like others and didn’t understand why he wasn’t. Always striving to make things better for
Caleb, he was enrolled with therapists since he was one year old to help out with OT, PT and
speech therapy. Due to Caleb’s disabilities, his anxiety has increased as he got older and
struggled to do anything his peers could do and was afraid of most animals including the small ones.
We heard about LifeStriders in 2018 and Caleb was hesitant at first due to him not being around such large animals that close. Caleb’s younger brother had started with LifeStriders three months prior so Caleb was able to get small doses weekly of what LifeStriders is all about. With
Caleb being familiarized with how LifeStriders works, he wanted to also start. Caleb just thought he was riding a horse and wasn’t aware that he was doing therapy. This helped with his fine and gross motor skills along with strengthening his core all at the same time. Currently Caleb is working in a small group setting which includes 2 other riders. The small group focuses on adding in social skills while riding which include making eye contact while talking, listening while being talked to and asking / answering appropriately.
Caleb has worked with many therapists including Christy, Rachel and most recently Elisa. He enjoys making friends with the side-walkers and volunteers and looks forward to going to LifeStriders weekly. Little does he know all this interaction with the great people who make
LifeStriders happen has increased his confidence. When asking Caleb his favorite part about LifeStriders, his response is riding the horses. Initially his favorite horse was Champion.
Champion made Caleb feel happy and confident and feels a personal connection to him as he likes to be silly. Caleb has recently grown close to Alterra. Alterra is a unique horse and has personal ties with Caleb regarding being sensitive to touch. Caleb knows what Alterra likes and
needs are so both of them can have a great experience. Caleb knows she is sensitive to her riders mood and feels Alterra has a calming effect on him. Caleb really likes working with Ms. Elisa and his side-walkers and is happy and appreciative of everything they do for him.
Your donation to LifeStriders helps people with disabilities be able to get the help they need while enjoying the therapy and not making it a chore. Thank you in advance for your support in making LifeStriders a continued success.
Aaron & Julep
Aaron joined our family in 2008 and we were aware there could be a special needs variable as
both of his parents were special needs adults. As he grew older we realized through testing he
had a cognitive disability with significant speech delays and low tone.
Always looking for ways to help Aaron, we were told about LifeStriders in 2018 and after a positive discussion with them decided to give horse therapy a try. We are very happy we did as he started to improve in multiple areas including core strength, balance / coordination and build confidence. His attention span had also greatly improved along with lowering sensory seeking behavior and impulsiveness.
Aaron loves riding the horses and helping with their care. He has had different horses over the years including Julep and most recently Mac. He enjoys his time talking to the volunteers and has gone from being shy and quiet to striking up conversations at every session with the side-walkers. His therapists have all been wonderful. He loves working with Elisa and she always brings out the best in Aaron.
Therapy sessions at LifeStriders offer so much and cover many different areas. We had no idea how beneficial this has been and are so grateful for this opportunity. Your donation to LifeStriders will provide more people of all ages with services to help them reach their full
potential.
Aaron joined our family in 2008 and we were aware there could be a special needs variable as
both of his parents were special needs adults. As he grew older we realized through testing he
had a cognitive disability with significant speech delays and low tone.
Always looking for ways to help Aaron, we were told about LifeStriders in 2018 and after a positive discussion with them decided to give horse therapy a try. We are very happy we did as he started to improve in multiple areas including core strength, balance / coordination and build confidence. His attention span had also greatly improved along with lowering sensory seeking behavior and impulsiveness.
Aaron loves riding the horses and helping with their care. He has had different horses over the years including Julep and most recently Mac. He enjoys his time talking to the volunteers and has gone from being shy and quiet to striking up conversations at every session with the side-walkers. His therapists have all been wonderful. He loves working with Elisa and she always brings out the best in Aaron.
Therapy sessions at LifeStriders offer so much and cover many different areas. We had no idea how beneficial this has been and are so grateful for this opportunity. Your donation to LifeStriders will provide more people of all ages with services to help them reach their full
potential.
