Riding and caring for horses is often therapeutic for people with physical or emotional disabilities.
Children and animals seem to have a special bond, and sometimes animals can even get kids to open up in a way that adults can't. Horses are often especially good at making that emotional connection, especially with both kids and adults who have physical or emotional disabilities. Horse therapy, or hippotherapy, is a field that shows promise but that still needs research and funding. Fortunately, grants are available for just that purpose.
Horses and Humans Research Foundation
In 2002, a group led by Molly Sweeney met to devise a plan to help promote the research of horse therapy and equine-assisted activities. Within two years, the Horses and Humans Research Foundation had set up a base in Ohio, obtained 501(c)3 nonprofit status and received its first sizable donation. The foundation continued to grow and to raise funds, and in 2006 the HHRF awarded its first grant. The foundation accepts letters of intent and grant applications all year and awards one annual $50,000 grant. The grant winner must use the money to research the therapeutic effects of the relationship between horses and humans.
Horses and Humans Research Foundation
P.O. Box 480
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
440-543-8306
www.horsesandhumans.org
American Hippotherapy Association
The American Hippotherapy Association is dedicated to promoting excellence in equine therapy, as well as educating those who work in the field. To that end, the association awards grants of up to $1,000 for clinicians, instructors and even students who strive to study the theories, strategies and effectiveness of horse therapy. Awarded funds may be used to cover a range of expenses, from data collection to the cost of treatment for study subjects. Recipients are encouraged to present their findings in writing to a peer-reviewed journal and are also asked to report their findings either in the AHA newsletter or at a national meeting.
American Hippotherapy Association
9919 Towne Road
Carmel, IN 46032
877-851-4592
www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org
American Quarter Horse Association
One of the American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA) newest programs is America’s Horse Cares, which to date has awarded more than $200,000 to equine therapy facilities nationwide, according to the AQHA website. The organization has partnered with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and with Farnam, the official grooming, conditioning and deworming product supplier of the AQHA. Applicants must be 501(c)3 nonprofits and be either a NARHA Premier Accredited Center or have at least one NARHA certified instructor on staff. In addition, the organization must have been in existence for at least three years and be seeking funding for an existing program.
American Quarter Horse Foundation
Therapeutic Riding Program
2601 East Interstate 40
Amarillo, TX 79104
806-378-5029
www.aqha.com
Tags: American Hippotherapy, American Hippotherapy Association, American Quarter, American Quarter Horse, Hippotherapy Association, Horses Humans Research