MIDDLE ISLAND, N.Y. – On Wednesday, November 14th, Legislator Sarah Anker attended the official announcement of the “Rides for American Pride” program at Saddle Rock Ranch in Middle Island.
Co-hosted by Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE) and Great Strides of Long Island, the program consists of 8 weeks of free-of-charge recreational horseback riding sessions for veterans. Included in each session is riding, grooming, and ground work for veterans their families.
“It was a pleasure to join FREE and Great Strides of Long Island for their announcement of Rides for American Pride,” said Legislator Anker. “I encourage residents and veterans to participate in this program and learn more about the physical and emotional benefits of working with horses.”
The “Rides for American Pride” program offers therapeutic riding sessions for veterans. These sessions help veterans with sensory integration issues, physical and emotional therapy issues, and socializing. The program lasts from now until the beginning of January.
FREE supports individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury in helping them realize their full potential. Great Strides of Long Island is an educational horseback riding group that specializes in therapeutic riding. For more information on these not-for-profit organizations, please visit www.familyres.org and www.greatstrideslongisland.com.
