Page 27 - LIN November 2022 Issue

JEFF LYTLE

THERAPY RIDING

expanding
CENTER

IN NORTH NAPLES

hroughout history, real or imagined, horses have enjoyed a
special place — some had wings, eight legs and seven heads.
TThey have been lionized as war heroes and rewarded with niches
in mythology for pulling the sun across the sky. Pegasus earned a con-
stellation for serving Zeus. Now they provide something more down
to earth—soothing, character-building therapy for challenged children
and adults. De St. Pierre and his board president Brian McNamara, describe
That is the specialty of the non-profit, internationally certified the experience for riders as confidence-building—overcoming anxi-
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center in Pine Ridge, which is launching an ety about mounting a large, potentially fearful animal, and enjoying it.
$8 million fundraising drive. The goal is to expand professionally super- Horses are therapeutic for crippled riders as well, he explains, by exer-
vised services for people with Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, cising their legs and helping them sit up straight rather than slouching
spina bifida, traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic forward. “Despite their size and power, they are flight animals, preferring
stress disorder and other emotional, and developmental challenges. The to run rather than engage,” he goes on. “We ask them to do many things
timetable for expansion depends on the pace of fundrais- that are not natural for them, but they have an intuitive
ing. The center currently has $2 million— comparable sense of understanding about what we need them do, and
to a single year’s operating budget. The need is summed they deliver with a sense of calm and empathy that is quite
up in their newsletter: 80 people are on a waiting list to remarkable.”
begin therapeutic riding—some wait more than a year. Madison McNally of the STARability Foundation,
The money will be used to add two adjoining acres, formerly known as Foundation for the Developmentally
for a campus total of over nine; a third barn, to bring the Disabled, says the center offers “the best of both worlds”—
14-member horse herd to its zoning limit of 20; more therapy via neurological stimulation, new motor skills,
lesson trails and improved housing for crew members new vocabulary, self-confidence, and occupational skills
who provide 24-hour security and care. such as horse grooming and barn upkeep.
Most people who drive by the center daily may think it is easily vis- Nancy Dauphinais, COO at David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral
ible—white stable on the north side of Ridge Drive. Actually, that land- Health, says adult and youth patients alike benefit from the horses. She
mark is separate from the center, which is across the street and features says adults in a residential substance abuse program go to the riding
11 secluded buildings, most of them dark red, such as barns, a confer- center to work on issues such as communication skills, self-esteem and
ence center available for rentals, and two covered “arenas” for classes six confidence building. Younger residential patients at David Lawrence,
days a week. Classes start with slow walks for horses and their mounts. she says, are visited by two miniature horses for bonding exercises
All sessions are tended by a professional guide and two trained volun- including petting, grooming, jogging, navigating obstacle courses and
teers. One arena features an electric lift for wheelchair-bound students. even painting on them. One of the welcome messages for visitors is on
“I give our riders, especially those with significant physical and emo- the side of a building: “Once a horse has touched your soul they will
tional challenges, a great deal of credit for their courage,” says Martin de always be with you.”
St. Pierre, the center’s new CEO and a veteran of the Salvation Army. He Vouching for that is Gary Price, a former Naples City councilman,
touches on a phenomenon that borders on mystical. “Our horses, given who went with his autistic son. “Garrett and I used to go every Saturday,
their age, temperament and training, understand what is being asked about 20 years ago,” Price says. “They had a small barn, a few horses and
of them and I think understand the riders on their backs may have hearts full of joy! It truly was the highlight of our week. We are forever
challenges. The horses respond by being calm and supportive.” grateful for the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center.”

Life in Naples November 2022 27