Talbot Special Riders (TSR) is seeking volunteers to participate in the expansion of its therapeutic horseback riding program at its new location, Timber Grove Farm, 6292 Statum Road, Preston, MD. TSR’s mission is to provide physical and emotional therapy to adults and children using horses. We have done this successfully for more than 35 years.
Recently, after thorough research and planning, the Board made a commitment to further expand and upgrade TSR’s services, by increasing morning and afternoon sessions, offering weekend sessions and, in the future, being available to riders year round.
For the past 25 years TSR’s therapy program was held at Glendale Riding School; however Glendale’s schedule of school programs and horse shows precluded expanding TSR classes at the riding school. TSR and Molly Foster, head instructor and owner of Glendale, mutually agreed that TSR would need to relocate to accomplish the Board’s expanded program goals.
The upcoming fall session will begin mid-September at Timber Grove Farm, owned and operated by Kim Hopkins, TSR’s afternoon instructor for the past twelve years and her daughter, Ashley Hopkins. Kim, a certified Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) instructor, will be TSR’s full time Executive Director and head instructor, teaching all morning and afternoon therapy classes and overseeing TSR’s Hippo therapy program with Occupational Therapist Deborah Colborn.
Sandy King, Director of the Board, stated “The expansion of our program is a dream come true! This giant leap of faith will enable TSR to better serve this community with our specialized therapy which gives our clients the self-esteem and courage, as well as physical strength, to realize their individual abilities. To have Kim Hopkins, who has been our Tuesday afternoon instructor for many years, join ‘Team TSR’ as our Executive Director is a special blessing. Kim’s enthusiasm and belief in our mission is infectious. She is a creative instructor and is as excited to be a part of the future of Talbot Special Riders as we are to have her pick up the reins.”
TSR serves Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne’s and Dorchester counties. Since its beginnings in 1981 it has been a wholly volunteer driven program. We are now recruiting additional volunteer horse leaders and side walkers for our expanded therapy program. Volunteer training is provided and experience with people with special needs or horses is not required. Minimum age for volunteers is 14 years of age. To find out more about the program or arrange a visit to Timber Grove Farm in Preston please contact Nancy Radosta at 410-604-2290, [email protected], or Gloria Gibson at 410-745-9762, [email protected]. Or check us out at www.talbotspecialriders.com/abouthtml
Talbot Special Riders is a member of PATH and is a registered non-profit organization with deep roots in the community. Financial support comes from the United Fund of Talbot County, area businesses, members of the community and our annual fundraiser, TSR’s Spring Classic Bike Tour.
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