Winslow becomes premier accredited center for handicap riding

Warwick — Winslow Therapeutic Riding received an A+ from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc., after undergoing the organization’s accreditation process. “Every five years a center must go through the accreditation process,” said Christine Tawpash, executive director of Winslow. “Two inspectors spend the entire day during the site visit. They look at everything from the fire extinguishers to individualized lesson plans. All policy and procedures must be accounted for, written and implemented.” Winslow was first accredited in 2000. Since the 1950s, therapeutic riding has been used in Europe as a tool to help improve the lives of those who have physical disabilities. North American association was founded in 1969 to promote therapeutic riding here in the United States and Canada. Therapeutic riding assists those with any cognitive, physical or emotional disabilities as well. Because horseback riding gently moves the rider’s body in a rhythmic way, riders with disabilities often show improvement inflexibility, balance and muscle strength, according to the group’s Web site, www.narha.org. Therapeutic riding has also been used for people with disabilities other than physical. For example, Winslow has a program specifically geared toward individuals with communication disorders such as autism. Many respond to different interventions, including therapeutic riding, to help with their communication and social skills. The process to gain accreditation is not a simple one. A member of the organization, in this case Winslow, must complete a center accreditation training course so that the standards are fully understood. Then the center must apply within 90 days of the individual completing the training course. After that, an representative from the organization visits the facility, scoring it on four areas: administration, program, facility, hippotherapy. “I am very proud of the staff, volunteers and the board of directors for making Winslow one of the best Premiere Centers in the country,” said Tawpash. Winslow also offers programs for individuals without disabilities. For more information on all of the programs offered at Winslow, to volunteer, or to participate in any of the upcoming fund raisers for Winslow, log on to www.winslow.org.