Cheff is embarking on a $2.6 million capital campaign to raise funding for an additional indoor arena designed specifically to house therapy services. This dedicated arena will be smaller and more private with its own entrance to honor the dignity of our clients while enhancing therapeutic outcomes by limiting distractions and facilitating privacy. This new space also opens the door for new and targeted mental and behavioral health therapies and partnerships while allowing Cheff’s Therapeutic Riding programs to run uninterrupted.
A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE, A LEGACY OF HEALING
Opened in 1969 as the first therapeutic riding center built in North America especially for the purpose of serving those with special needs, the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center serves riders of all ages who have physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities.
Cheff currently serves more than 600 clients annually with the support of 190+ volunteers. These clients range in age from 3-83 and represent more than 42 different primary diagnoses.
CURRENT CHALLENGES
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Cheff receives calls daily from individuals interested in mental health and hippotherapy services.
As a country, and as a community, we are amid a mental health crisis. Anxiety and depression rates are climbing daily with suicide and substance abuse following close behind. Affected individuals and their loved ones are desperate to find treatment options that can make a difference- particularly with our youth and those individuals who have been resistant to (or plateaued in) traditional therapy settings.
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Our existing arena does not allow for these specialized therapy programs to run in tandem with therapeutic riding sessions. It is imperative that individuals participating in therapy services, particularly mental health offerings, are afforded a significant level of privacy- honoring their dignity while increasing the efficacy of treatment.
In order to facilitate this need for privacy, Cheff runs therapy services when therapeutic riding programs are not in session. This severely limits availability and results in scheduling conflicts with providers and clients.
INTENDED RESULTS
this new space will:
- Increase mental health offerings by providing private facility space available during regular program hours
- Increase hippotherapy offerings (potentially expanding to offer occupational and speech therapy) by increasing capacity and available arena hours
- Grow program partnerships with K-12 schools as well as local universities by expanding Equine Assisted Learning opportunities as well as professional therapy collaborations
