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With the help of a few special horses, Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center improves the quality of life for children with special needs involving physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Open My World is a 501(c)(3) organization first established in Leander, Texas in January 2008. The focus of the organization is to serve special needs children from ages 5 - 14. Located in Leander, it serves children living in Leander and the surrounding areas of Cedar Park, Round Rock, Liberty Hill, and North Austin. |
| The individually tailored equine therapy sessions provide a safe and structured riding experience, which follows the guidelines of the country's premier organization (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association "N.A.R.H.A."). The child's capabilities, personality, and their progression determines the structure, and content of the sessions. Each child is encouraged, and the experiences and activities they complete while at Open My World helps build their self-confidence through achievement and awareness of their expanding personal capabilities. |  |
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Stretching, bending, and balance exercises are completed while mounted, developing motor skills while students actually learn basic horsemanship and riding. In addition to an arena setting, the center's "sensory trail" carries clients through large oak trees and differing terrains, including a short bridge. Wildlife and the natural setting of the trail provide a true multi-sensory experience.
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Another goal of Open My World is to provide not just therapy to the child but offer support to the entire family. The center has facilities available for parents to observe therapy lessons, and siblings have a safe place to be entertained and are encouraged to visit the petting zoo.
In addition to therapy sessions for special needs children, birthday parties and school field trips and a mini summer camp are also offered at Open My World for all children ages 5 -12. These services include: petting zoo, trail access, "hands on" horse experience and paper/pencil activities.
Open My World has proudly partnered with Inspire Behavior Therapy & Consulting to bring our children an even more therapeutic approach to Equine Therapy. Founder of Inspire Behavior, Jennifer Kaut M.Ed. is a respected Behavior & Autism Specialist. Jennifer is also a certified Equine Assisted Learning Therapist who was the first to combine Applied Behavior Analysis, Social Skill Training and Equine Therapy in treating children with developmental delays. Jennifer will now be offering her equine social skill groups at Open My World. The first groups start Feb. 8th. Jennifer will also be available for behavioral consult as needed. Jennifer brings with her, 2 additional certified equine therapists (Julie Biggs and Tinker Reed) that will be facilitating some of thesocial skill groups and conducting therapeutic riding. To find out more about Inspire Behavior and the services that they offer visit their website at www.inspirebehaviortherapy.com
Directions to Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center
From Austin take 183A North to 2243 exit ( 1st exit
after Crystal Falls) Go East right for about 40 feet
turn left onto 269. Turn comes up very quickly after
getting off of 183A. Stay on 269 until you pass "Sunshine Mobile Park" (about 1/2 mile) When you pass
the mobile park turn left onto 270. Open My World is
on the left side about 1 mile from 269. You will pass
a sign that is for Grateful Growers we are 3
properties down from them on the same side of the
street. Look for white vinyl fencing, brown mail box
with silver 1020 numbers. Please open gate, drive in
and close gate behind you.
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Open My World follows NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Assoc.) guidelines. |
Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center is recognized by NARHA as a center, which requires a certified instructor. The center is also a Texas "Class" provider with DSSW and Touch of Class. These agencies provide financial assistance for the therapy sessions for families of special needs students.
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Donna Roland, founder and NARHA registered instructor:
Though the organization is newly formed the founder, Donna Roland is not new to working with this population or with equine. She is a retired special education teacher of 27 years...
Read More | Program Activities:
Focus for each student will be individualized, with their capabilities and condition in mind. Therapy will include stretching, bending, motor skills and balance. Students will become aware and participate in grooming, tacking, caring for the livestock and...
Read More |
Summer Camp available to All Students Ages 5-12
Open My World will be offering a mini summer camp beginning the week of June 8 and running until the 2nd week in August. The summer camps are held Monday/Wed/Friday from 9-12. The children rotate between the petting zoo, which includes an animal study; the trail, which includes an environmental study; and the horses, which includes riding, grooming and tacking. Students do all three each day. The cost is $90/per child per week. You can sign up for more than 1 week.
Open My World is participating in the Give a Day - Get a Day @ Disney" program. |
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Contact: 1020 CR270
Leander, TX 78641
(512) 259-6665
roland4horses@yahoo.com |
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