The Palouse Area Therapeutic Horsemanship Program (PATH) for people with physical and mental disabilities will host a late spring riding session throughout May and June. PATH is a People-Pet Partnership (PPP) community service program of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University.
The program’s goal is to provide recreational, therapeutic horseback riding for people with physical, mental and/or emotional challenges. The riding program is designed to give individuals with disabilities a chance to have fun and strengthen and relax muscles, increase joint mobility, and improve balance, posture, and coordination. Confidence and self-reliance are also developed during the program, while riders learn the basics of caring for a horse.
The PATH program and its instructors are accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), and supported by the Pullman and Moscow United Ways and the Stepping Stones Foundation.
The spring session will run from May 20 through June 25, with classes being held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the Sears riding facility on Johnson Road. A few slots are available for new riders.
“When you participate as a rider, instructor or volunteer, everyone just has a lot of fun and benefits physically too,” said Dr. François Martin, Ph.D., director of the WSU People-Pet Partnership program.
To register or obtain additional information about becoming a rider or volunteer, contact Kathy Christian at 509-335-7347, or the PPP office at 509-335-7347.
