About Us
Since 2006, Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship Center has led an effort to help those with disabilities to lead more enriched lives through adaptive horseback riding and, most recently, hippotherapy.
PROUD PARTNERS OF
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Unlocking human potential by harnessing the power of a horse.
Our Vision
To become a premier center, accredited by PATH International, which provides therapeutic riding and other equine-assisted activities to individuals in the greater Columbia Basin region servicing Tri-Cities and the surrounding communities.
...They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us HOPE."
Toni Robinson
“Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem.
Located in a beautiful rural setting
... 5-minutes outside of Pasco city limits, Strides offers life-changing experiences to people of all ages with a wide range of abilities.
Each week, riders come from throughout the greater Columbia Basin area to interact with their 1,000 pound "therapist" in a safe and secure environment while achieving goals that they never before dreamed possible. Our focus is not on their limitations, but what they can do, and the results are extraordinary.
Our current riders range in age from two to seventy years old and come to us with various challenges. We serve riders with over fifty distinct disabilities each year, including: cerebral palsy, down's syndrome, autism, senosory processing disorders, traumatic brain injury, spinal muscular atrophy, scoliosis, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, stroke, parkinson's disease and developmental delays.
Lessons are individually designed to suit each rider's particular need, ability and stamina and are consistent with predetermined goals that are established in conjunction with parents, caregivers, physicians and other therapists. Find out more about our current programs: -> here <- .
Humble Beginnings
Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship Center was founded by a physical therapist named Jennifer Casey on June 22, 2006 in Richland, Washington. Jennifer was driven to find a better treatment strategy to serve one of her pediatric clients with autism. She quickly joined ranks with Jill McCary, an autism intervention specialist, and a horse named Scribbles.
Today
Strides has grown to now include a a diverse pool of individuals who work to ensure the organization is able to meet our mission. As of November 2017, Strides has 2 PATH-certified instructors, 4 therapists (including 1 Hippotherapy Clinic Specialist), 15 horses, over 40 specially-trained community volunteers, and a robust Board of Directors. The passion, hard work, and love these individuals give to the program are the reason for Strides’s success.
Beyond helping our community's children and adults achieve modern-day miracles, we have given new life to several of our horses. Four of our horses were rescued from going to slaughter. Another four were rescued from neglect. Being able to give these gentle souls a second chance not only inspires us, but inspires our riders and their families. Take a moment to go visit our horses and consider supporting their care: -> here <- .
Leadership
The basic charge of the Strides Board of Directors is to protect the public purpose of the organization. As a group, they work to ensure that the organization effectively implements its mission, has adequate resources and proper financial oversight, and maintains legal and ethical integrity. The Strides Directors also actively partner with staff to determine strategies to implement the organization’s mission, to monitor and strengthen the organization's programs and services, to secure funding, and to raise the organization's public standing. Board members serve a one to three-year term, and may serve two consecutive terms. If you have interest in participating on the Strides Board please email us at Strides@StridesTC.org.
Meetings are held every third Wednesday at 6:30pm.
Board of Directors
Tori Heckman, President
Dan Colby, Vice President
Melissa Rojas, Treasurer
Christina Muirhead, Secretary
Advisory Board
Kimberly Artz
Garrett Bemis
Keely Bowen
Ethan Carver
Jill McCary
Credentials
Strides has obtained certification from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int’l.) and the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA). PATH Int’l. & AHA require extensive training and education for our therapists, instructors, horses and volunteers to better serve our community.
Jorge
Barn Manager
Jorge started as a volunteer at Strides in 2018. Even though Jorge has only been with Strides for a year, his love of the horses and wealth of knowledge promoted him Strides's first official barn manager. Jorge grew up on a ranch in Cottonwood, CA and has been around horses all his life. When Jorge was younger he would compete in horse shows and rodeos. He has been involved with Arabian Horse Association since the age of nine.