Horseback riding has proven therapeutic for individuals with a wide range of disabilities. Now Circle of Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to therapeutic riding, has shown that the activity is beneficial for soldiers injured in war as well.
Last week Circle of Hope kicked off a series of visits from the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, where U.S. Marines are being treated for injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. About 20 volunteers treated the Marines to Shetland ponies, horse-riding, lassoing and a blacksmith demonstration, as well as lunch courtesy of the Rural Women’s Republican Club of upper Montgomery County.
Mike Benesch, a member of the board of directors for Circle of Hope, arranged the trip with the Naval hospital. He is also a counselor with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), which provides management and consulting to Circle of Hope.
“I was just thinking about how we can reach out to the community,” he said. “It’s rewarding for the Marines and also for the volunteers.”
Over the winter, Benesch arranged for about 20 recuperating amputees from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit Circle of Hope over a three-week period.
“When I retired six years ago, I wanted to do something with horses,” said Benesch, who lives in Rockville. “I think it’s good to work with people with disabilities and expose them to horses to help them get better.”
CIRCLE OF HOPE provides an alternative form of therapy to adults and children with disabilities. The nonprofit, which began in 1996, has grown from a weekend program with seven volunteers to a daily program with more than 70 trained volunteers. The nonprofit’s youngest rider is 3 and the oldest is close to 70.
“We want to create a positive and successful atmosphere so individuals can work to their fullest potential,” said Lesley Shear, executive director and head instructor for Circle of Hope.
The farm and its rural setting is a welcome break from therapy rooms, and the rhythmic motion of the horses is soothing emotionally and physically. Riding is also good exercise and helpful for balance, coordination and body awareness.
“Today we’re here because we feel it’s very important to support the troops and give back to the community,” said Shear, who lives in Boyds.
U.S. Marine Rachel Young of Youngstown, Ohio, enjoyed interacting with the horses and Shetland ponies.
“I love horses,” she said. “Just being out here with my friends and being able to ride the horses” is relaxing.
SUZETTE AND ANGELO Bizzarro own the horse farm where Circle of Hope operates. Six years ago, when the nonprofit was run from a farm in Poolesville, the couple’s daughter was a volunteer with the program.
“She came home upset because Circle of Hope was losing their lease at the farm,” said Suzette. “So we said, ‘We’ll take care of their horse for nothing.’”
Later that year, the Bizzarros invited Circle of Hope to begin their program at the farm, and they even built an indoor arena for about $100,000 that the nonprofit shares.
“It’s a unique partnership,” said Suzette. “It’s been a really rewarding and interesting experience.