First Interstate Bank Presents $10,000 Check to Ride for Joy
“Horses bring happiness!” The First Interstate Bank Foundation brought a little “joy” to Ride For Joy by donating $10,000 to support the Therapeutic Riding Program. The therapeutic riding program provides professional and compassionate equine assisted activities and therapies to individuals with special needs, military veterans and active duty personnel. The funds will be used for tuition and scholarship support.
Christi King, Executive Director, and Lauren Zimmerman, Fundraising Coordinator, provided a tour of the grounds where the new indoor arena sits. We met “Junior,” one of the specially trained horses and toured the indoor arena and barn as well as the outdoor arena. The new indoor arena provides shelter during hottest and coldest days of the year.
Equine assisted services help with balance, core strength, flexibility, confidence and social skills for those with special needs. The benefits for veterans include decreased anxiety, increased confidence, improved anger management skills, decreased stress levels, and re-integration into the community.
