Therapeutic Riding Institute needs office items, barn supplies


Each week, columnist Meredith Moss profiles a non-profit organization in our community in need of specific supplies. If your group would like to share a wish list with our readers, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com

Please include a daytime phone number.

The Therapeutic Riding Institute provides therapeutic horseback riding experiences for children and adults with disabilities. The mission is to improve the lives and health of children and adults in Southwest Ohio with special physical, cognitive, social and psychological needs through Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT).

Founded in 1973 by Betty Lou Townley and Linden Moore, TRI has grown to serve 240 students from an eight-county area providing classes five days per week with more than 350 volunteers contributing to their program.

“It is amazing to visit our arena during a class session,” executive director Marleen Milkis has told us. “We watch as students achieve personal goals while learning horseback riding skills. It is not unusual to watch riders smile, and families cry, as miracles are achieved in the arena every day.”

The big news for the organization is a new partnership with Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Darcie R. Clark and Riverscape Counseling to add Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) to TRI’s programming. EFP that utilizes the powerful presence of a horse, the training of a licensed mental health professional and a certified equine specialist to treat a wide range of behavioral, emotional and mental challenges.

Program director Michele Green says her organization is the only PATH international Premiere accredited center offering the service in the Greater Dayton area. “Adding this service allows us to provide a hopeful, healing experience to those seeking a therapeutic intervention that encourages connection to nature, oneself and others,” she says.

The organization is located at FineLine Stables in Springboro.

WHAT THEY NEED

  • Paper goods including toilet paper, paper towels and cups
  • Cleaning supplies such as Pine Sol, bleach, toilet cleaner, multisurface cleaner, glass cleaner
  • Liquid hand soap and hand sanitizer
  • Office supplies including 8.5 x 11 computer paper, paper cutter, staples, folders, binders, laminating machine
  • New ASTM Certified (adjustable) Riding Helmets – Must be unused, within original packaging within one year of manufacture date
  • Industrial fans to cool down our indoor arena
  • Two-story ladder (non-collapsible)
  • Equine fly repellent (new)
  • Eight salt licks (small for placing in stalls)
  • Bags of Sweet PDZ Stall Refresher
  • Eight Matching Navy Square Saddle Pads
  • Printing for student horse show programs
  • Folding tables (new or used)
  • Home Depot, Lowes or Menards Gift Cards or donations of plywood and 2x4s
  • Cases of water
  • Plastic storage totes
  • Handsanitizer, liquid soap and Clorox wipes
  • Brooms
  • Arena groomer (5-foot Premier Equestrian Groomer or ATV-5 EZ Groomer)
  • Sponsor for Continuing Education Opportunities for Instructors
  • Outdoor LED lights for the outdoor arena
  • Truck and two-horse trailer
  • Donated veterinary care

Delivery of in-kind donations can be scheduled with TRI’s Development Director, Christine Pirot at (864) 650-4967 or Development@TRIohio.org to TRI’s office in Centerville (1700 Thomas Paine Parkway, Centerville) or to the farm (5224 Dearth Road, Springboro). Monetary donations should be mailed to TRI at 1700 Thomas Paine Parkway, Centerville, OH 45459.

The organization also needs volunteers — no horse experience is required. The next Volunteer Training is from 5:45 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Check outwww.TRIOhio.org for more info.

If you or someone you know is interested in benefiting from Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, contact TRI’s Program Director, Michele Green at (214) 422-1878. Professional Mental Health Counselors are also invited to contact TRI about future collaborations in their at-risk-youth and veterans programs. Tours are by appointment only.

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