HEARTS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
To provide equine assisted activities improving the mind, body, and spirit through horsemanship skills.
HEARTS Therapeutic Riding Center was established in 2011 and is a 501(c)(3)
About the Program
Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center was established in 2011 and is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization and a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) compliant facility. All of our instructors have gone through PATH Intl training and testing to become certified instructors. The program is located at 220 Leap Street in Egg Harbor Township on 25 acres that has a 6 stall barn, an outdoor arena, a 75ft round pen for ground lessons, trails, and a classroom/office building. It is the ideal setting to allow our riders to learn and to experience nature.
We care
ABOUT THE RIDERS
Riders begin their journey at Hearts TRC with an initial evaluation to determine their abilities, strengths, and modality of learning (auditory, visual, hands on). From there, our staff will assign a specific horse according to size and motion that best suit the needs of the rider and will determine the number of volunteers that are needed to assist the rider. A lesson day and time is given and the student is paired with an instructor and their team of volunteers.
The Hearts TRC instructors set individual goals for each rider, which are met in weekly lessons to improve posture, balance, focus, concentration, and life skills. Outcomes have shown that through the teaching of horsemanship skills astride, in the barn, and in ground lessons, the individual’s quality of life can improve at home, in school, and the workplace.
In addition to weekly private and group lessons, Hearts TRC has a curriculum for school, community, and at-risk groups. This curriculum meets educational standards and provides a unique way to learn educational skills outside the classroom.
Hearts TRC also offers a Horses for Heroes program. This free program is designed for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and first- responders and allows them to experience the healing benefit of horses through activities in the saddle and on the ground.
The Hearts TRC instructors set individual goals for each rider, which are met in weekly lessons to improve posture, balance, focus, concentration, and life skills. Outcomes have shown that through the teaching of horsemanship skills astride, in the barn, and in ground lessons, the individual’s quality of life can improve at home, in school, and the workplace.
In addition to weekly private and group lessons, Hearts TRC has a curriculum for school, community, and at-risk groups. This curriculum meets educational standards and provides a unique way to learn educational skills outside the classroom.
Hearts TRC also offers a Horses for Heroes program. This free program is designed for veterans, active-duty military personnel, and first- responders and allows them to experience the healing benefit of horses through activities in the saddle and on the ground.
the team
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
All of our instructors are Path Intl. certified in therapeutic riding. This means they have gone through extensive training to be able to safely and successfully teach individuals of all ages and abilities to ride horses.
Stefanie Green
Executive Director of HEARTS TRC, Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science and Management from Morrisville State College. PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Stefanie has been teaching able bodied lessons for over 15 years and Therapeutic lessons since 2013 and has mentored several other instructors through the certification process.
Sue Adams
Sue AdamsBachelor’s of Science degree in Education. PATH Intl Advanced Instructor since 1993. Faculty/Evaluator for PATH Intl instructor certification. PATH International accreditation visitor. Member of HRH (Health and Recreation through Horses) of New Jersey, State Organization.
Rindy Faust
President of the board of HEARTS TRC, degree in Human Services, PATH Intl Registered Instructor since 2001. Recipient of the PATH Adult Rider of the Year Award in 2004. Specialized in ground work training for program horses and mentoring upcoming instructors.
Doreen Innella
Equine Studies at Potomac Horse Center. Abled- bodied instructor for over 35 years. U.S. Pony Club Instructor and former instructor at Ashford Farm in Pa. PATH Intl Registered Instructor in 2017.
Sharon Westhuis
Sharon’s love for horses started when she was a teenager asking her parents for a horse. She started horseback riding lessons at a nearby farm and continued for 5 years until she went away to college. Life took her away from horses until she started volunteering at a therapeutic riding center in 2006. She decided to become an instructor in 2013. She works as an LPN at Woodbine Developmental Center. In 2017 she got her own horse, Chance, a rescue from whom she has learned so much. Her husband also volunteers at Hearts TRC.
Sharon Garland-Sweeten
Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Instructor and Certified Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with her own practice, Vitality FYI. PATH Intl
Registered Instructor since 2007. Brought Yoga on Horseback to HEARTS TRC.
Registered Instructor since 2007. Brought Yoga on Horseback to HEARTS TRC.
