Camp Care Inc- Therapeutic Riding Program

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Camp Care Inc- Therapeutic Riding Program

Camp Care, Inc. including Camp Care Therapeutic Riding Program is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. The program is governed by a committee.
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Camp Care Therapeutic Riding Program is a year round program that functions because of our volunteers. All volunteers are dedicated to help people with special needs on horseback. We utilize interns from area colleges who major in agriculture, animal sciences, physical therapy, and more. We also encourage and welcome high school students ages 14 and up to volunteer in lessons, and many under 14 us

e the riding program to meet their community project requirements by volunteering in the barn and on the grounds. We also are involved with local educational/vocational training programs for transition help training for adults with special needs.

09/22/2022

Regardless of the riding program’s closure, Mary Latour still shows up daily in the barn to care for the ponies and horses until they leave the property. Yesterday she met the vet. Today she is feeding lunch, doing stalls, and moving horses around as they are stuck in due to rain.

Mary was there from the beginning and has never stopped. Her volunteer hours covered countless pages every year. Our volunteers were only eligible once for “volunteer of the year” but she deserved it every year, in addition to whoever was acknowledged. She and her husband Joe could be found shoveling snow after each and every storm outside of the Camp Care barn, helping to replace downed paneling and posts, or leaf blowing pastures. Anytime the weather suddenly turned inclement she was there to batten the hatches.
Mary stepped in as a feeder many years ago and never accepted a penny for anything that she did, even on holidays. She did stalls many times a week, and trained our groups that came from Horizons and STAAR program to assist us with stall care. Mary picked up medications from the vet and barn necessities from local stores when she was not at the barn. She ran fundraisers with us, was at every meeting that she could be that involved in any decision regarding the program, and gifted us countless donations over the years.

Mary gave her heart and soul to the riding program, and I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge her selfless dedication. She loved the participants, their families, the horses, and just being a part of anything related to the good work that we did. Camp Care’s riding program would not have been the same without Mary Latour.

Photos below show Mary with rider Gillian on Spirit in July of 2009, and then with Gillian on Natasha in September of 2022.

09/19/2022

As the Camp Care Therapeutic Riding Program came to a close last week, we would like to deeply thank Director Kirsten Robbie for the incredible 10 years she has given to this program. It would not have been as beautiful, beneficial, and bountiful without her supervision and loving sacrifice every day. Kirsten poured her heart and energy into this program from day one. She is over the top organized, thoughtful, and dedicated to whatever she does. She is good at many things, but she especially loved the riders and the horses over the many years the program ran, originally under the leadership of Rebecca Gardella who was also an amazing Director. We would also like to thank Kirsten's family who offered so much of their time, care and experience to help the Camp Care Riding Program along the way; Thank you~ you are amazing.

As costs continued to be a concern, Kirsten began working very hard with Facebook fundraising, and also maintaining a fantastic active page of smiling faces, and happy horses. There is never an end to safety concerns and Kirsten was always - literally rarely got a break - looking for steadfast healthy horses for the program, and putting into place safety measures. She organized and trained the many volunteers, and helped people feel special. She also kept a very clean barn and office with great documentation of all the riders' needs and successes. Although Kirsten was not always sure what was coming next, she always found it in herself to rise to the challenge.

Kirsten, Thank you for all the little, and big ways that you gave above and beyond, for this riding program. We are hopeful that you will find a way to continue to provide therapeutic riding for people because this is one of your biggest passions, and you are so very good at it. We are grateful for your outstanding work. God bless you, and your family.

To all of you who have given so generously to this program in one way or another, may you be blessed 100 fold. The good does not go away... THANK YOU!!!

09/16/2022

A note of gratitude from Kirsten Robbie:

Just about 10 years ago I knew I wanted to upgrade my passion for horses and someone local to me recommended getting PATH certified at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc.. That’s where I ran into Allie Carlson who told me about a program where strong people helped put humans on horses LOL. I began as a volunteer in lessons at Camp Care and then was an instructor one day a week. I fell in love with the work quickly. The Moran’s and everyone behind the program were so passionate about supporting those with special needs, and I was totally hooked.
When it was time for Allie to step out, I was asked to take over her duties as barn manager, volunteer coordinator, and head instructor. I did not jump at the offer. I had no faith that I could balance all of that. Being that there was no one else, I tried it and it went pretty well. A few years ago program founder and dedicated instructor Rebecca Gardella stepped down and they needed a new director. Once again I shied away from acceptance, unsure that I could fill those big shoes.
However much self-doubt I have had in myself during my time at the program, working there every day has shown me how to have faith. Faith not just in myself but in so many unknowns. Working with horses and humans is a very delicate combination, one that Camp Care has pulled off beautifully for the past near 20 years. Getting people to come for free to volunteer in lessons after work, school, in the freezing cold months of winter, sweating in masks in summer…was another big ask which was answered by the community with a big “Yes, we are here!” That also enabled this program to run. And then finding people who would not charge us to borrow their exceptional ponies and horses for some of the hardest work out there in the equine industry due to the stress it puts on them, would prove nearly impossible. However just the right connections were made at just the right times. I was so grateful to be a part of it, and to see over and over how everything was just so meant to be.

I have enjoyed every minute with all of the participants, their families, volunteers, staff, and equines over the many years. I am trying with all that I am to see that a program like this continues locally under a new name at a new location. I have been praying hard along with countless others, and now it is up to God. Being able to continue to provide the countless benefits that life with horses gifts to us is necessary. All of the currently thriving ponies and horses will come with us into the new program, as well as all the of the volunteers, staff, and feeders. We are optimistic and hopeful that this good work will go on! Best of luck to everyone, and thank you to all who made this program what it was. 🏇🏻🔆🐴🙏❣️

09/16/2022

Well, that’s a wrap! The last Thursday and last program day at Camp Care was perfection. Bittersweet of course, but milestones until the last minute. Our super full day started with all six ponies and horses getting chiropractics by the wonderful Dr.Ketola of Noah's Ark Chiropractic. Thank you to Horizons for stall care today! Thank you to our incredible volunteers today and every day for the last 19 1/2 years! Your selflessness was crucial to clients receiving benefits, and we will never forget each and every one of you. Thank you to all of the ponies and horses that came through the Camp Care barn doors over the years, without which there would have not been a program. Each one of them made a difference in some way. And thank you to the generous owners who shared their special equines with us. Thank you to all the staff...instructors past and present who also made this wonderful program possible. Also to our feeders which there have been many of over the years, thank you for fitting us into your lives! They were the behind the scenes people caring for and handling our special equines. What they conveyed to the ponies and horses had a direct link into each lesson, every single week. Talk about going out on a high note, it was a perfect last day that ended a perfect last week. Lots of hugs and gifts, sweet words, and a few tears were passed around…
To quote heartfelt volunteer and feeder Kirsten Krause “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later!”

09/16/2022

Congratulations to Natasha! One of the best horses to have ever walked through the barn doors at Camp Care. Still going strong after working the hardest for the last two sessions. November 21 would have been a year with us. She upgraded the program and enabled countless riders over the past 10 months to reach milestones that they would not have reached otherwise. Tasha has some of the most involved owners we’ve ever had connected to the program from watching lessons, to bringing equipment that was ideal for riders on her and changing out stirrups so they suited our PATH requirements, as well as doing the same for other equipment for other horses in the barn. They have helped financially as well with Natasha‘s bills and have been an absolute pleasure to deal with. Pam, Tony, Sofia, and AJ thank you so much for entrusting us with your amazing mare. And congratulations to Natasha, the “volumptuous queen”.

09/15/2022

Announcing the 2022 horse of the year!!!

09/15/2022

Great last Wednesday at Camp Care! Everyone got out on the trail. Ponies were showered with lots of carrots, and volunteers and staff with treats and roses! Thank you to Craig for filling in, Allyssa for volunteering, to Beth & Sophie for helping out, and to Haley for lessons & stalls! It was a really special day.

09/14/2022

April had the arena to herself for her last herding game at Camp Care. Allyssa and Aubrie may have had a bit too much fun with it! There are no limitations for fun on the last week! 🤪🏇🏻🐴🦄 Laurel

09/14/2022

Beautiful last Tuesday at Camp Care! Tons of incredible lessons, with even a few milestones. Jake & April had amazing off-lead rides on Avalon. We had a super fun double herding game with volunteers Aubrie and Allyssa in April‘s lesson! Volunteer Dana showed up with a brace on for her torn ACL because she would not miss the last day of lessons. Thank you to new volunteer Kirsten for filling in in lessons. Alex was upgraded several hands from Star to Simon for his last lesson, and it was the perfect match! And every single rider got on the trail for a last ride today!

09/13/2022

Full attendance for our last Monday at Camp Care! Every single lesson was incredible. We were nonstop and it was just a wonderful day. Thank you to Laura’s mom Beth for the extremely thoughtful basket of individually wrapped cookies and chocolates for all of the volunteers throughout the week. We definitely could not have done this program without our volunteers! Speaking of thank you’s to volunteers...thank you to Taylor for helping in every single lesson until dusk, and help in the barn afterwards. Thank you to Matt for your help in lessons today, another amazing UCONN physical therapy student who was such a pleasure and an asset to have with us. And to Kirsten for feeding breakfast, program prep, stall care, and for filling in her first lesson!

09/10/2022

Sharing David’s milestone here-
David began with an unmounted session around horses for the first time and could not tolerate his helmet. He would take it off and toss it right away. He seemed to be interested in the horses, so eventually he started to wear the helmet to be near but we had to keep busy. His tolerance grew pretty quickly. Then last week he seemed to express the desire to get on by tapping the pony’s back, so we put him on two times for a couple of seconds. We came prepared this week with a surcingle on Star with a handle for him to hold, and a person on the side to help make him feel secure...and then the magic happened!! We are so happy for you David. Your progress this session was absolutely amazing. 👏👏👏

09/09/2022

Simon is a pony of many talents! Always inquisitive and ready for a game. This was his first game of basketball, but he made two dunks in a row. And it made Brody’s day!

09/09/2022

✨Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II ✨
(Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022)

The Queen began riding at the young age of 3 years old. She continued to ride her beloved Fell ponies through the age of 96 and had an incredible in-depth knowledge of breeding and raising Thoroughbreds and native ponies, and was patron of the British Horse Society, the Fell Pony Society, the Highland Pony Society, the Shire Horse Society, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society and the Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

She was the first recipient of the FEI Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her leading role as supporter of equestrian sport throughout her reign as British monarch.

She instilled her love of horses into her children and grandchildren, two of which continued on to become Olympic equestrians.

We will continue to remember and reflect on her contributions and recognition of the equine world that inspired so many throughout her reign.

A unusual sight of two rainbows shimmering in the sky was seen by people gathered around the palace just before the news of the queen's passing spread. People referred to it as the queen's farewell sign as she left for her heavenly abode. 🌈🐎🌈

09/09/2022

Full attendance in Thursday of week 9! Spectacular weather and lessons. Thank you to Horizons for stall care, Erin for program prep, & all the wonderful volunteers who came in!!

09/08/2022

Separate post because this was an emotional moment yesterday. Olivia‘s family has been coming to this program since it began. They are the longest running current client. Last night was her last lesson at Camp Care as she will be away next week on vacation. When dad thanked me for everything the program and I have done for her, he became quite emotional. Olivia made huge strides with us. She used to be fully held while riding and now no one needs to hold her. She used to not be able to get on without help and now nobody needs to help her. Same thing with getting off her horse. She came so far physically, emotionally, and it was just something she loved to do. Thank you to the Wolslegel family for trusting your daughter with us! We had so much fun together on the countless horses and ponies she rode over 19+ years. 🏇🏻❤️🌟

09/08/2022

Another fantastic day in week 9! Wednesday riders did so well. We had perfect attendance and beautiful weather. Thank you to Allyssa for all the extra help from start to finish today. Many thanks to instructor Erin for coming in for lessons, stall care, lunging and more. And thank you to volunteers Beth and Haley, who finished out the night with me.

Address

106 Route 66 E
Columbia, CT
06237

Telephone

+18602288843

Website

http://campcarekids.org/

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Videos

Announcing the 2022 horse of the year!!!

Sharing David’s milestone here- David began with an unmounted session around horses for the first time and could not tolerate his helmet. He would take it off and toss it right away. He seemed to be interested in the horses, so eventually he started to wear the helmet to be near but we had to keep busy. His tolerance grew pretty quickly. Then last week he seemed to express the desire to get on by tapping the pony’s back, so we put him on two times for a couple of seconds. We came prepared this week with a surcingle on Star with a handle for him to hold, and a person on the side to help make him feel secure...and then the magic happened!! We are so happy for you David. Your progress this session was absolutely amazing. 👏👏👏

Simon is a pony of many talents! Always inquisitive and ready for a game. This was his first game of basketball, but he made two dunks in a row. And it made Brody’s day!