Serving a purpose
Who We Serve
NDR provides equine-assisted activities for persons with disabilities/limitations ages 4 and up. Our mantra has been: “Not here by chance, but to serve a purpose." All of our programs are designed to serve a purpose for each participant. The foundation for all programs is that they are organic in nature and use experiential learning to help our participants set and achieve their personalized goals.
Our Programs
How we help
Equine-Assisted Activities - Adaptive Therapeutic Riding
NDR’s PATH certified instructors provide a safe environment where participants/riders can enjoy therapeutic adaptive horsemanship. It is a therapeutic exercise in mind and body that offers lesson plans sensitive to each participant/rider’s needs. NDR instructors develop participant/rider-oriented plans that improve riders balance, coordination, focus and muscle strength. These benefits, along with their improved self-confidence, will allow each participant/rider to work towards their individual adaptive riding goals. Typically, lessons are weekly and ½ hour in duration.
In addition to providing therapeutic adaptive riding group and individual lessons to Peppermint “Ridge Riders”, NDR has helped to improve the quality of the lives of participants from Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare (Pomona, CA) with traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, etc… since 2016. NDR continues to provide therapeutic adaptive riding to children and adults ages 4+ with disabilities/limitations that are interested and meet the medical criteria to ride.
Caring for seniors
Horses In the Moment
Horses In the Moment was developed by WCU Occupational Therapy doctoral candidate, Charmaine Lim. It is a 9-week equine-assisted activities program for individuals with mild-moderate dementia. When paired with humans, horses react and reflect the “energy” of interactions and encourage human reaction to stay in the moment. This, “experiential learning”, promotes the use of daily life skills and can enhance the quality of life.
Horses In the Moment participants are guided through a series of equine-assisted activities with NDR horses such as: grooming, feeding, petting, walking and painting.
NDR participants/caregivers have reported several benefits of involvement in Horses In the Moment including improvements in: socialization, recall memory, focus, relaxation, laugher and feelings of empowerment.
Our Intern team
NDR Internship Programs
In July 2018, NDR established an internship program for Occupational Therapy students at Level I-MSOT (Masters) and Level I-OTD (Doctoral) from West Coast University. Later that year, internships expanded to include Level I-OTA (Associate) students from Santa Ana College and Level I-MSOT students from Stanbridge University. In 2019, NDR provided internships for Level-I-OTA students from Stanbridge University.
NDR expanded the Internship Program in 2019 to include Bachelor level students studying PR/Communications from Azusa Pacific University and a Social Work student from La Sierra University.
To date, NDR’s Internship Program has provided community-based training for over 50 students! Many of our interns have come back to volunteer for events such as our Grand-Reopening, Norco Ranch Tour, the Arthritis Foundation Family Event and more.
Why are Equine-Assisted Activities and Adaptive Therapeutic Riding an answer to your needs?
Are you considering equine-assisted activities to help with your current challenges?
We care about our participants and individualize each lesson plan to reach the best results for them. Contact us to get started.