THE NEED IN GARLAND COUNTY

 

Currently NO ACTIVE Hippotherapy
And Therapeutic Riding
Programs Available

(Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2017)

 

There are currently no hippotherapy or therapeutic riding programs in Garland County. This is significant, as there are approximately 14,000 children under the age of 18 with at least one disability living in Garland county, and over 20% of the entire population of the county living with one or more disabilities. These numbers emphasize the importance and the need for equine assisted therapy services in Hot Springs AR.

By partnering with local, well-established therapy centers and their qualified therapists, we will be the only facility in Hot Springs to be able to offer hippotherapy services.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to make hippotherapy and therapeutic riding services accessible not just to our son Aiden, but to all individuals with disabilities in the greater Garland County area for little to no cost. These forms of therapies offer evidence-based benefits to the physical, emotional, and mental growth and development of people with disabilities.

Sunshine Therapeutic Riding Center

OUR MISSION

The SUNSHINE Therapeutic Riding Center (STRC) is an equine assisted therapy organization 501(c)3 that strives to improve the lives of individuals of all age groups, including children with disabilities, through the partnership and therapeutic power of horses.

SUNSHINE Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501C3 Arkansas non-profit organization with the federal tax identification number EIN: 84-1747932. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • DENNIS BERRY, Chair
  • JENNA JOUBERT, Vice Chair
  • JENNIFER GREEN, Treasurer
  • DAWN CATTANEO, Secretary
  • DR. EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH CLEM
  • CAROL FREELAND
  • MARQUE HAUPERT
  • HALEY HATCH
  • TISHA JENKINS
  • ERIKA MUELLE
  • JOHN STOBAUGH
  • DEAANN RICHARD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • KATJA FLÜELER SUMMERLIN

ADVISORY BOARD

  • HARMONY MORRISSEY
  • MARK HOWARD
  • DR. RENEE MCGRAW
  • MIKE TUOHEY
  • MIKE EVANS
  • ALI RUSH

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

  • JENNA JOUBERT (CHAIR)
  • DENNIS BERRY
  • SHARI CLEM
  • ERIKA MUELLE
  • JULIE KINARD
  • DEAANN RICHARD
  • TISHA JENKINS

CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

  • MIKE EVANS (CHAIR)
  • ZACH SUMMERLIN
  • DENNIS BERRY

OUR HORSES

MORGAN

Quarter Horse, 2002

Morgan is the fierce leader and protector of our herd. He is gentle, respectful, and loves to contribute to our program. An injury to his right front leg ended his career as a show horse in his younger years and began his journey of becoming a therapy horse.

He has the perfect disposition and is extremely handsome but his injuries cause him to be unsound for riding. Morgan is a wonderful contribution to our unmounted programs! and is now a treasured member of our herd of therapy horses.

SPONSOR MORGAN

SAPHIRA

Quarter Horse/Tennessee Walker, 2015

Sapphira is calm, kind, and loves kids. She moves smoothly and takes great care of her little riders. When a participant slips off center in the saddle, she stops to let the side walkers adjust. She loves her job as a therapy horse!

Sapphira came to us five years ago from a neglectful situation. She was emaciated and had an in-grown halter. She has recovered beautifully.

SPONSOR SAPPHIRA

STEELER

Quarter Horse /Thoroughbred, 2000

Steeler (aka “Steel Silhouette”) is a gentle giant with the sweetest disposition and absolutely gorgeous movements. He came to us from a loving family and by recommendation of veterinarian Dr. Jesse Clement who owned him in younger years. Steeler has taught many kids to ride and show. Steeler is part of an incredible STRC success story where his movements helped a little girl who was diagnosed with severe childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) to find her voice through our hippotherapy program. Watch the news story HERE.

SPONSOR STEELER

SCRIM THE PONY

Welsh Pony, 2001

Our fluffy princess is smooth, steady, and perfect for our riders who need extra postural support. Before she came to STRC, Scrim taught many kids to ride. She can be a super cute little jumper when asked. She likes to make up her own rules and, like most ponies, she has no problem stealing food from her friends! The sassy pony mare put a smile on our faces when she arrived at our ranch in March 2020. It was the day of the funeral of Hot Springs Police Officer Brent Scrimshire, who lost his life in the line of duty. With the permission of the Scrimshire family, we named her “Scrim the Pony.”

SPONSOR SCRIM

DOC

Quarter Horse, 2015

Doc is an elegant and dynamic mover. As a former ranch horse, he is well-trained and has impeccable ground manners. He is quick on his feet and soft on the bit. Doc is a sweetheart and has an in-your-pocket personality that makes everyone fall in love with him. This makes him a favorite among our riders!

SPONSOR DOC

 

RINGO

Quarter Horse, 2010

Ringo (aka “Jim Dandy Bell”) is a character! He is hard working, smart, and mischievous. He has a rigorous walk, trot, canter and is perfect for our sensory-seeking riders.

When Ringo first came to STRC, he didn’t trust people and would run away when we tried to catch him. With time and consistent training on the ground, he has turned into a reliable, people-loving horse who likes to make everybody laugh.

SPONSOR RINGO

Sunshine Therapeutic Riding Center

SPONSOR A HORSE

To maintain the happiness and health of our amazing therapy herd of 5 horses and a pony through sponsoring a STRC horse. Sponsorship amount includes feed and hay, basic veterinary and hoof care. Sponsorships are available to individuals, companies, clubs, or any other organization.

$400: pays for the care of 1 horse for 1 month
Sponsor benefits: Social media recognition during the month of sponsorship

$4,800: pays for the care for 1 horse for 12 months
Sponsorship benefit: Social media recognition 6x per year, placard for display in your business with picture of horse

Examples: sponsor for ONE horse for ONE month (or more) or sponsor ONE horse for the whole year.

 

CONTACT

Fundraising Chair:

Jenna Joubert

(612) 636-9412

jenna.sunshinecenter@gmail.com

Executive Director:

Katja Summerlin

(501) 762-3157

sunshineridingcenter@gmail.com

Photo Credits - Bailey Burton Photography: https://www.baileyburtonphotography.com/

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