“A Night at the Races” will serve to get the community’s Stars and Strides Therapeutic Equine Center off and running.

 

A pre-recorded horse race complete with the placing of bets, the fundraiser will be held tonight at Village Square Conference Center and targets a fundraising goal of $10,000. Those dollars could go a long way in providing equine therapy to treat a wide range of disabilities including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder, among many others.

 

“We have the facility, we have a staff, we have the animals, we have the expertise and we certainly have the clients in need,” said Stars and Strides Board President Rebecca Flanagan. “We would greatly appreciate your consideration in helping us fill our financing requirements on this endeavor in Bridgeport.

 

One of the potential satellite sites is Kross Kreek Farm on Brushy Fork Road, just outside of Bridgeport. It could be open to the public as early as May. Co-owner Joel Kirk, who boards horses year-round, was approached by Flanagan several months ago and the two horse lovers discovered they had a shared dream.

 

Flanagan, who had been looking for a facility for the proposed equine center, stumbled upon Kross Kreek Farm when she was looking for a place to board her own horse. She said one day, she brought up the idea of doing horse therapy at the farm.

 

“He got this blank look on his face and said he had been thinking about it,” Flanagan said.

 

A soil conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Flanagan, of Clarksburg, works with area farmers and became very interested in horses several years ago. She finally became a horse owner, raising the filly herself and becoming even more captivated by the ability of horses and their understanding of the word around them.

 

“I realized all the different things you could do with horses and what they can do for people and it was at that point that I realized that the perfect career would be doing something that helps tons of people while doing something you actually like,” she said.

 

Flanagan has taken part in several different training opportunities and horse training and behavior seminars, including those in Columbus and Costa Rica. She has also established some professional connections, including those with the Special Olympics of Marion County and the Veterans Association’s PTSD program.

 

“There are a lot of people out there we can work with. It’s a matter of getting things lined up and people in the right places so things can move along well,” she said.

 

Flanagan's vision expanded when a handful of area professionals came on board.  

 

“People with skills in various areas and really accomplished horse people pulled together,” Flanagan said. “Included was Kathy Minnich, who is highly educated and experienced in cognizant disabilities, including a special education certification in autism.”

 

Also part of the effort is a teacher of Bethany College’s equestrian program, as well as mental health personnel of Harrison and Marion counties.

 

The horses boarded at the facilities will be utilized for the therapy.

 

“The boarders are all very enthusiastic about what we are doing and they all agreed to let us use their horses,” Flanagan said.

 

With the horses and the volunteers in place, fiduciary requirements in training, equipment, facilities and care of the horses is significant, Flanagan said.

 

As one might imagine, the use of 1000-pound animals to treat human overcome cognitive, relational, physiological and psychological challenges takes a great deal of effort and precaution, said Kirk, member of the Stars and Strides board of directors. 

 

Money raised through the inaugural fundraiser will be used to certify individuals, pay for insurance and offset various costs.

 

Equine therapy has shown great success – even breakthrough results – for individuals who face  cognitive, relational, physiological and psychological challenges, Flanagan said.

 

“This is a big deal for us,” she said. “We think a center like this would be awesome to have in this community.”

 

The center’s success depends on community support, volunteers and donations, Kirk said. 

 

“Our goal would be to make it cost free or very inexpensive for those in need,” he said.

 

Some tickets still remain for Saturday’s event. Cost per ticket is $30.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.starsandstrides.com or visit the Stars and Strides Therapeutic Equine Center Facebook page. 

 

Editor's Note: Photos courtesy of Stars and Strides Web site.