Ready Set Ride

Oct 8, 2024

Four-Legged Therapy

Ready Set Ride

Amount Awarded: $50,000| Completed Summer 2023

Thanks to ARPA funding, Ready Set Ride was able to purchase a new animal trailer and tractor to support their animal therapy services. The horse/animal trailer has helped greatly with building community service programs. They are now able to offer Hearts and Hooves Community Outreach Programs for First Responders and Senior Citizens that provide fun and uplifting visits from mini horses and donkeys.

The tiny four-legged therapists inspire smiles and relieve stress for those who may need a little comfort or joy in their day. In the past year Ready Set Ride has also been able to support a local Autism Awareness Walk by giving participating children a respite with the minis while they show their support. The minis are kind to all, welcoming pets, hugs and smiles. Donations from these events serve to help support theTherapeutic Riding Program, and Ready Site Ride is adding more and more of these community visits.

The addition of the tractor has also helped Ready Set Ride to complete more complex projects that have been on their list for years including tree and brush removal, building projects and grading pathways. They are now able to much more efficiently maintain the grounds and to give volunteers much needed help and a welcomed break from physical labor. They have also been able to remove and relocate hundreds of pounds of manure per day – a very welcomed alternative to manual removal!

“I love seeing the smiles on all the faces of senior citizens who haven’t had much outside interaction. During our most recent visit, a staff member let us know that a resident asked to go outside for the first time in months to see our mini horses. Seniors absolutely light up and love sharing stories from their past experiences with animals. It’s been a really fulfilling to offer another form of animal therapy to our community.

The tractor has [also] been an immense help. We are so grateful for how much more efficiently we can maintain the property and complete chores. Even better, we’ve been able to give our volunteers relief from challenging physical labor. We’ve even been able to attract new volunteers as a result of offering more modernized ways to manage the grounds. We’re able to accomplish so many needed projects.”

Lisa Afshari | Director

Ready Set Ride intends to build the Hearts and Hooves Community Outreach Programs for First Responders and Senior Citizens when they are not providing Therapeutic Riding sessions. This additional programming is not only a positive community outreach service. It also helps fund the Therapeutic Riding Program. For their all-volunteer program, and 100% donation run facility, Ready Set Ride relies on funding like this to continue providing the services they have for over 20 years.

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