HORSEBACK THERAPY FOR DISABLED FUND DRIVE FOR KIDS' PROGRAM.Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - A local organization that provides therapy for disabled children through horseback riding horseback riding: see equestrianism. kicked off its fund-raising efforts Monday to help raise about $130,000 toward its annual operating costs operating costs npl → gastos mpl operacionales . Heads-Up Therapy with Horses, founded in Santa Clarita in 1986, is looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. donors to help continue programs that include therapy for disabled children, leadership workshops for teens from the William S. Hart Union High School District as well as workshops and opportunities for community service for at-risk youths. ``There are 5,000 families in this valley alone with children who are disabled,'' said Nancy Pitchford, founder and executive director for Heads-Up. ``This campaign helps us with 90 percent of our expenses.'' The group presently operates out of an equestrian center in Saugus. Eventually, Pitchford said, she would like to open a new, expanded facility to include a covered arena with businesses on site so that the organization can sustain itself. Plans for the new ranch also include job opportunities for the community's disabled, extended horse career training for at-risk youths, miniature horse cart driving classes for disabled adults and seniors, and a park setting for senior adults. The organization needs $1 million to start the project. Construction would begin in 2007, she said. The group's board of directors helped Pitchford kick off the fund- raising season with a televised public service announcement that will air on public access Channel 20. The organization also holds other events throughout the year, such as the Country Horse Faire. Pitchford started the therapy ranch in 1986 with one horse and two disabled children. It soon emerged as a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. where local children with disabilities - from mental retardation mental retardation, below average level of intellectual functioning, usually defined by an IQ of below 70 to 75, combined with limitations in the skills necessary for daily living. to cerebral palsy cerebral palsy (sərē`brəl pôl`zē), disability caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. - were taught to ride and care for carefully chosen horses. ``It's amazing how children will feel emotionally close to a horse,'' she said. She has found that children with diseases that hinder healthy muscle growth who are allowed to ride atop horses have improved body movement. ``We are looking for quite a bit of acreage,'' Pitchford said. ``We are the only therapy group of this size in the nation.'' To learn more about Heads-Up, call (661) 297-7433. Susan Abram, (661) 257-5255 susan.abram(at)dailynews.com |
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