Horse-assisted therapy program for youth gets $222K grant

The Windsor-EssexTherapeutic Riding Association has received $221,900 to expand its program that helps develop social skills for youth.

Funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, announced Friday, will go toward the association's HOOF program (Horses Offering Outstanding Futures).

The riding association has been providing its programfor physically, mentally and emotionally-challenged people since 1971.

About 200 youth per week take part. The new funding could add 175 more peopleover the course of three years.

"Itteaches youth to be accountable, to be confident, to be interactive with other people and the horse is really non-judgmental and it helpsyouth to sort of interact with each other as well."said Rebecca Mills, the association's managing director.

The first 11-week program with the new students starts onJan. 9.

"We're finding that youth who are facing somebarriers not able to attendschool,not having a great social life are feeling more empowered when they leave here," Mills said. "They continue tocome and we just feellike we want to expand that program and make something a little more structured."