SIERRA VISTA -Premier Alliances, Inc. has donated $500 to fellow nonprofit organization CANTER, in support of equestrian therapy for children, youth, and adults with disabilities.
The funds will go toward providing scholarships for area schoolchildren, youth, and adults to receive regular therapeutic riding sessions at CANTER’s George Bakarich Equestrian Center in Sierra Vista. Premier Alliances, a Bisbee-based nonprofit, has also pledged to donate a third of its local paid radio outreach time to help CANTER attract new volunteers and donations.
The therapeutic rides involve a number of exercises that contribute to equilibrium, reflexes, strength, coordination, posture and confidence. Psychologically, therapeutic riding develops self-awareness and improves both self-discipline and concentration. Each ride is accompanied by a horse handler/spotter volunteer, and, depending on their level of independence, one or two volunteers walking alongside the horse on foot, providing safety, guidance, and encouragement.
This new partnership comes as both organizations recognize their shared goal of supporting individuals with disabilities in the community.
“CANTER provides a one-of-a-kind, beneficial service that, as those who have seen the results can attest, can have a positive impact on the lives of people with additional needs,” said John Charley, CEO of Premier Alliances. “We are more than happy to support their ongoing efforts.”
This partnership comes after Charley met with CANTER leadership earlier this year after reading reports of a need for volunteers at the organization.
“CANTER is equally happy to partnership with fellow nonprofit Premier Alliances as an organization that further promotes CANTER’s stated mission, which is to promote the health and independence of individuals with disabilities and special needs,” said CANTER’s President, Dean Quain. “We look forward to working with Premier Alliances, whose mission promotes a possible lifelong opportunity for our students’ future independence.”
CANTER Program Director Newell Harrison was presented with a check for $500 for CANTER’s scholarship program in February, while the radio spots began airing in March.
The Cochise Area Network of Therapeutic Equestrian Resources (CANTER) has been providing therapeutic rides on horseback to individuals with disabilities in Cochise County since 1993. CANTER is accredited by PATH International, the international organization that sets the standards for therapeutic riding centers throughout the country and world. CANTER was one of the first therapeutic riding programs in the nation to become a Premier Accredited riding center and has maintained that status as one of now five Premier Accredited programs in the state of Arizona. For more information, visit canteraz.org.
Premier Alliances, Inc. has been supporting individuals with disabilities for more than 50 years. Based in Bisbee, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit focuses on creating partnerships for a more inclusive community, while also providing employment opportunities and advocating for individuals with additional needs. For more information, visit premieralliances.org.
