SANDE SCHOOL OF HORSEMANSHIP

Sande School of Horsemanship was founded in 2010 with a mission to provide accessible equine programs focusing on life skill development for all individuals, including at-risk youth and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). It is located in the heart of rural Columbia County, which has limited access to mental health services and a void of services for people with I/DD. Sande serves a diverse clientele across four programs, including:

- Therapeutic Riding (TR), provides horsemanship lessons to people with (I/DD), whose needs require at least one staff member for each student.

- Equine-Assisted Mental Health (EAMH), provides equine-assisted mental health to people who seek an alternative to talk-based therapy. Sessions are conducted by an Equine Specialist and Mental Health Professional, including a combination of experiences and activities designed to help process trauma, increase resiliency, improve self-awareness and emotional regulation skills. 85% of Sande's EAP clients are on the Oregon Health Plan and about half of those clients are or have been in foster care.

- Youth Leadership provides group classes in three levels, which all support the development of youth into responsible leaders. Level 1 classes teach resilience-building skills to low-income youth with trauma histories. Level 2 trains students to become Horse Care Volunteers. Level 3 trains students to become Junior Instructors, eventually growing into paid positions.

- Integrated Horsemanship Lessons serve any youth or adult who wants to learn how to ride, handle, understand and care for horses. Classes focus on forming a successful relationship with equines and combine neuro-typical students with individuals living with I/DD who are able to be integrated into groups.