Greetings!
Here at Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy, we have been finding some creative ways to beat the heat and stay cool this summer. Our Adaptive Riding Summer Session is well underway and our participants are all working hard and finding success in the saddle thanks to the support of our volunteers, the heart of our therapy horses, and the talent of our staff. We have had some exciting new arrivals and improvements here at the farm and are looking forward to even more great things for Southern Reins.
Here are just a few of the highlights and happenings this month at Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy. Thank you for being part of our story as our participants achieve, aspire, and amaze.
|
|
Southern Reins Receives Special Delivery All the Way from California |
|
Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy received a very special delivery via "Pony Express." FedEx Flight 440 into Memphis International Airport had some precious cargo aboard when it landed on the afternoon of July 14. A jet-black pony named Ben flew from Oakland, California to his new home in Memphis where he will be joining the herd of therapy horses at Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy. He was greeted on the tarmac by Southern Reins’ staff, volunteers, and his owners Kristen, Amelia, and Natalie Vann who were excited to welcome him to Memphis.
We have been looking for a pony like Ben for a long time, and we can't wait to see all the achievements he will make possible for our participants at Southern Reins.
|
|
|
|
Southern Reins in the News |
Action News 5 reporter Sydney Hawkins visited the farm last week to do a story about Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy. She talked to Program Director, Sara Zurenko, about our mission, met our newest addition Ben, and even took a ride on Jute-- her very first time on a horse.
|
|
|
|
Join us at the farm for Southern Reins Camp Days! Participants will enjoy spending time with our therapy horses participating in unmounted activities including grooming, crafts, socializing with friends, and even painting our ponies. This is a great opportunity for current participants to spend some extra time at the barn with our horses and instructors or a great introduction for those interested in participating for the first time.
We hosted our first Camp Day last Thursday, and it was a hit. Our participants had so much fun painting our herd, participating in unmounted activities, and making new farm friends.
Upcoming Camp Days are July 28 and August 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration fee is $50 per day.
|
|
New Pasture at the Farm Thanks to Wayne Burkett |
|
Southern Reins volunteer Wayne Burkett has been hard at work over the past few months in our North Field at the farm. He has been pulling out the old railroad ties, leveling the ground, moving dirt, and getting it ready for use for our growing herd of therapy horses. If you spend much time out at the farm there is a good chance you will see Wayne on his blue tractor or with some tools in his hand on his way to fix or build something. Thank you, Wayne, for all you do to support Southern Reins. We so appreciate you! |
|
|
|
The Farm Stays Festive Thanks to Karen Hall
Thank you to Southern Reins volunteer Karen Hall for keeping the farm looking festive all year round. Karen is our official "Decorations Chair" and makes sure the farm is all decked out for each holiday and season. She brings joy to all with her hard work and dedication, and we appreciate all she does. Thank you, Karen!
|
|
|
|
Staff Trains New Addition to the Herd, Clint
Southern Reins staff members Meredith Massa, Alex Shaver, Sara Zurenko, and Katharine Allen introduce a new member of our herd, Clint to what it is like in the arena during lessons. Before a horse ever steps into the lessons with our participants, our staff works hard to ensure that they are comfortable with all of the different activities that occur during lessons at Southern Reins.
|
|
|
|
Southern Reins at Germantown Kiwanis Club
Thank you to Germantown Kiwanis for the opportunity to speak at your July 14 meeting to share about Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy, our mission and programs, and how they can make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and hardship.
Pictured: Tom Tompkins, Southern Reins participant Clark Tompkins, and Director of Development and Communications, Jordan Walker
|
|
|
|
Channel 5's Sydney Hawkins Visits the Farm
You would never guess that this was reporter Sydney Hawkins' first time on a horse last week during her visit to Southern Reins. Therapy horse Jute and Instructor-in-Training Michael Wilder showed Sydney the ropes and demonstrated what our participants experience during a lesson at Southern Reins.
|
|
Our mission is to serve individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities and hardship by providing equine-assisted service to empower, inspire, nurture and succeed. |
|
SOUTHERN REINS CENTER FOR EQUINE THERAPY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
