Community Partners

Strong partnerships help to fuel our mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities/limitations through equine-assisted programs. Community partnerships increase diversity and enrich the lives of all participants served.

ABOUT NDR MENU

Our Community Team

Community Partners

NDR would like to recognize the importance of our Community Partners in unifying toward a shared purpose - to enrich the lives of people we serve. Working together, we have been able to expand equine-assisted activities within the Inland Empire.

Ridge Riders

Peppermint Ridge Corona, CA

In 2010 the Activities Director of Peppermint Ridge, a large residential facility for adult individuals with intellectual disabilities, asked the owners of No Drama Ranch, Joe and Donna Hyde, to develop an adaptive riding program. Therapeutic adaptive riding became a weekly event for interested “Ridgers” who had medical releases to ride. This new recreational activity program was designed to give “Ridge Riders” personal instruction from NDR PATH and EAGALA certified staff. These weekly group lessons lead to improved motor skills, working memory, flexible thinking and self-control both on and off the horse.

youtube-video-thumbnail

Horses in the Moment

The Gardens of Riverside – Riverside, CA

In Late 2019, NDR approached “The Gardens”, a memory care community, to partner in a doctoral capstone project. Horses In the Moment was developed by West Coast University Occupational Therapy doctoral candidate, Charmaine Lim. It is a 9-week group equine-assisted program for people with mild dementia. The primary goal is to increase quality of life, relational skills and problem solving for participants and their caregivers.

….”All the residents who attended the ranch would honestly come home in good spirits, relaxed and asking when were they going back. They started reminiscing on their childhood and younger years, with their love of animals, their care of and riding of horses, and adventures with their families with animals”…. “residents’ caregivers/family members attend(ed)which was priceless to see their loved ones engaged and participating in the activity with the horses.”

Stephanie Oden, LVN

Executive Director
The Gardens of Riverside

Internship Partners

Universities We Work With

NDR has partnered with several SoCal universities to provide community-based supervision for all collegiate levels for Occupational Therapy interns, and Bachelor of Social Work interns. The experiential learning aspects of NDR’s programs offer students a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and skill set.

La Sierra University

Field Site/Supervisor BSW

“La Sierra University’s involvement with NDR as a Field Site for our Bachelor of Social Work Intern Program has proven to be a valuable experience. Over the last year, our intern placed with NDR has been involved in activities across the micro, mezzo and macro spectrum. She was able to observe organic real-time change for individuals and groups, work with an interdisciplinary team, provide community outreach, collaborate in research of special population needs and program development/implementation.”

Daphne Thomas, LCSW

Assoc. Prof and Field Dir.

“Our partnership with NDR Therapeutic Riding has been invaluable to our occupational therapy department. NDR has provided ongoing opportunities to both fieldwork and doctoral capstone students to receive excellent, supportive mentorship and hands-on experience in an emerging area of professional practice. We are grateful for the unique learning opportunities NDR has provided to students as they develop their skills as entry-level practitioners.”

Danielle Friberg, OTD, OTR/L, OTD

Capstone Coordinator, Assoc. Prof – West Coast University

“It was such an honor to have completed my doctoral experiential internship at NDR Therapeutic Riding. Everyone was professional, knowledgeable, and most importantly kind-hearted. The organization exemplified the true meaning of service in the community, which greatly inspired me as an individual. Being at NDR helped me refine my leadership, communication, and organizational skills. I can sincerely say that my experience there built my confidence and improved my clinical reasoning skills, which are essential to becoming a successful practitioner. Both Martha and Donna ignited my passion for serving people with disabilities and pursuit of excellence in the work that I do. My thanks and appreciation.”

Charmaine Lim, OTD

West Coast University Doctoral Graduate

West Coast University

Level I & II MSOT/OTD Capstone

California State University Dominguez Hills

Level I & II MSOT

Santa Ana College

Level I & II OTA

Stanbridge University

Level I & II OTA/Level I & II MSOT

NDR is proud to be a community partner

What ways can you help NDR enhance the lives of their participants?

If you are a university or community service organization interested in developing a partnership with NDR, contact us!

CONTACT US
Scroll to Top