Gotcha! Flowers Elementary School holds Wish List Drive for MANE | Community Spirit

Flowers Elementary School has been holding a successful Wish List Drive for The Montgomery Area Nontraditional Equestrians (MANE) to show their support and appreciation for the therapeutic horseback riding program!  A class of 7 special education students from Flowers Elementary School, who ride horses at MANE each week, have developed and improved skills that have transferred from the riding arena to the classroom!  MANE’s Wish List Drive, organized by special education teacher Cecelia Bailey and classroom aides Lois Breeding and Donna Stroup, began February 6th.  Ms. Bailey said, “We are excited about the response and still have one week to collect more.  It’s our way of giving back to MANE for the difference MANE has made to our class.” All students donating the household items (listed below)  earn “Gotcha” tickets.  One student brought in 24 pairs of work gloves! Gotcha tickets are used at school events such as a sock hop, a no uniform day, or the upcoming Spring Fling!  

The Flowers Elementary Special Education Class will bring all the collected items to MANE on the last day of the Winter Session – March 1st at 10:00.

MANE Wish List: Rain boots, Work Gloves, Rakes, Paper Towels, Postage Stamps, Cleaning supplies, Sponges, Copy Paper, Lysol Spray, Hand Soap, Toilet Paper, Air Fresheners, Horse Shampoo, Box Fans, Bottled Water, Various Toys, Books, AAA Batteries, AA Batteries, Buckets, Brooms

Therapeutic horseback riding provides extremely important and effective intervention for people with physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities.   The benefits the rider gains from the experience go beyond normal muscle tone and improved movement.  Therapeutic horseback riding also helps the individual improve balance, range of motion, and muscle control, as well as develop more efficient motor planning while strengthening muscles, joints, and tendons.  The activities involved in therapeutic horseback riding have also been known to improve respiration, circulation, appetite and digestion.

Benefits intrinsic to therapeutic horseback riding have also been noted for individuals who have visual or hearing impairments, learning disabilities, autism, or mental retardation.  Mentally or emotionally challenged riders experience improved concentration, patience, self-discipline, motivation and interpersonal skills.  These improved skills facilitate spontaneous use of language and psychosocial responses, and, in so doing, provide a stronger foundation upon which traditional therapies can be more effectively implemented.  The responses that a rider can elicit from a horse add some measure of personal control to the life of a person who is not able to participate in various normally occurring daily activities.  The resulting control that the individual has gained helps build self-esteem and self-confidence.

PATH Intl.-accredited centers throughout the U.S. and Canada, including MANE, are helping individuals with cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairment, traumatic brain injury, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, autism, spina bifida, epilepsy, mental retardation, and stroke patients. Those with emotional and behavioral problems can overcome challenges and lead richer, fuller lives as a result of participating in a quality therapeutic riding program.

Information Source: MANE