Hope Ranch, a free therapeutic riding center for individuals with physical, emotional and developmental challenges is looking for volunteers to help with their programs. Without volunteers, the ranch cannot operate and must turn away hopeful riders, said Hope Ranch President Ken Scroggs.
    Anyone can volunteer, and will receive free training in handling horses and working with disabled individuals before they are able to lead riding sessions. Classes are offered once a week for 10-week sessions; the next session will begin the third week of January, and applications for volunteers are accepted at any time.
    Riders range from children to adults and even soldiers from Ft. Riley who are coping with injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
    “Injured soldiers from Ft. Riley benefit from the balance work [provided by riding] and the need to be mobilized. It gives them a chance do something relaxing and let down their guard and be themselves for a while,” Scroggs said. “When you’re riding a horse, the walk is kind of an exaggerated human walk, so physically the movement helps people. Psychologically is helps with a lot of things. We’re not therapists, but it does has therapeutic benefits.”
    Because the ranch is a not-for-profit organization, donations are accepted and scholarships are provided so no rider will be turned away due to lack of funding. Scroggs said 85 percent of riders receive scholarships.
    “Money should never be a reason why you can’t ride,” said instructor Chelsea Nunn, sophomore in communication sciences and disorders and pre-occupational therapy.
    Nunn said she was inspired by a rider named Jane, a 15-year-old girl with cerebral palsy confined to a wheel chair who had been riding horses at Hope Ranch for two years. Nunn said she could see Jane’s thirst for life in her eyes. Although she is disabled, Jane is still able to ride well and her goal is to one day ride in a regular horse show.
    “From the waist up she’s a normal 15-year-old girl riding a horse,” Nunn said.
    Nunn is not the only K-State student to have been touched by the riders at Hope Ranch. Maggie Marolda, sophomore in early childhood education, has also enjoyed her time volunteering.
    She told a story of a quiet rider named Zane who rarely talked, but for whatever reason once laughed throughout an entire session; his laughter was contagious, and Marolda said she was soon laughing and having just as much fun as he was.
    Applications to volunteer are available at Hope Ranch, located at 3841 W. 69th Avenue, and at its Web site at hoperanchks.org.
       

Comments

2 comments

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Mon Nov 17 2008 18:41

I used to volunteer there and I do love the program and think Hope Ranch has the potential to do good, but they need to work on the relationship they have with their volunteers. I think they could do a lot to improve their program too.

Kirsten Bundy

Fri Nov 14 2008 10:52

i love Hope Ranch and they are doing an amazing thing out t here. My best friend is the one in the background with her horse and is very passionate about helping out with the kids and horses. Im very happy to see that they are looking for volunteers and probably going to apply myself :)

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