O.A.T.S. hrh, Inc. (Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles, horseback riding for the handicapped) was founded in 1997 by Nancy Lee Heussner, a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) certified instructor. Located on a 50-acre facility on M-15 five miles north of I-75 in Clarkston, today O.A.T.S. and its staff of caring, dedicated and enthusiastic instructors and volunteers provide equine-assisted therapy weekly to more than 100 children and adults with a wide variety of physical and/or emotional disabilities.

 

Why therapeutic horseback riding?

 

At its most basic, riders can expect improvement

in balance, flexibility and muscle strength and tone.

Therapeutic riding also:

· Develops communication, listening and attention skills

· Encourages social interaction with others

· Builds confidence and self-esteem

 

Why O.A.T.S.?

 

Since its inception, the O.A.T.S. program has made rider safety priority #1. O.A.T.S. is also the only program of its kind in Michigan to run year-round, providing the consistent therapy riders need. Other hallmarks of the O.A.T.S. program:

 

· Independence: The goal for every rider at O.A.T.S. is to ride independently (without assistance from a leader and/or sidewalker), no matter the disability. While not always possible, the important thing is that it’s encouraged.

 

· Interaction: We strive to engage our riders from the moment they arrive until they leave. Riders are asked to converse, recognize horses and volunteers by name, assist with leading horses out and untacking, notice their surroundings, participate in games and activities, test their limits and most of all, have fun and SMILE. Parents, caregivers, teachers and doctors are often surprised by what our riders can do!

 

· Information: In addition to learning and mastering riding basics, riders are taught equine terminology and sign language. Other basic educational concepts stressed include identifying colors, counting, recognizing letters, words, the seasons and things in nature (birds, animals, flowers, etc.).   

Changing a child one ride at a time...

• Home • About O.A.T.S. • How You Can Help • Volunteer • Wish List • Calendar/Events • Forms • Links • Contact

READ MORE ABOUT O.A.T.S. IN OUR NEWSLETTERS (including profiles of our riders)

(.pdf files; Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

 

· Current issue (May 2008) •  February 2008 • Dec. 2007 •  October 2007

· July/August 2007 •  May/June 2007  •  March/April 2007   •  February 2007

 

For previous issues of O.A.T.S. Notes, please contact the webmaster.

·  Inclusion: O.A.T.S. has always been more than just a place to ride. For parents, it’s a support system and a place to network and share information. For riders, it’s a place to be a “regular” kid through annual events like the Mane Event horse show and fair (held at the Oakland County 4H Fairgrounds in Davisburg every September), Easter, Halloween and holiday parties and our Smiles on Saddles day camp.