Contact:
Pam McDonnell
NYU Medical Center
212-404-3555
Pamela.McDonnell@nyumc.org

Rusk Kids Spend the Summer with Gentle Giants

“The riding programs, I have always felt, are extremely helpful in severely disabled persons and truly therapeutic. They are a great asset in helping the disabled.”
Howard Rusk

New York, July 15, 2005 --Thanks to a generous gift from KIDS of NYU, Rusk Institute, the first hospital in New York City to sponsor children for the New York Therapeutic Riding Academy’s program, Equestria, is now in its’ 4th year. Classes are held weekly at the Claremont Riding Academy in Manhattan.

Equestria serves children and adults with physical, mental and emotional disabilities living in the five boroughs of New York City. The disabilities of Equestria students include cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, autism, blindness, CVA/stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.

What’s unique about the program is the multidisciplinary and highly trained staff. A Therapeutic Riding Instructor and a Physical Therapist are always present during classes because the focus is on rehabilitation and getting the best possible outcome for the child. Other benefits of therapeutic horseback riding include relaxation and stretching of spastic and rigid muscles; reinforcement of normal movement patterns; improved balance, posture and coordination; and much more.

The concept of therapeutic horseback riding dates back to ancient Greece, where it was employed to rehabilitate injured warriors. Although the therapeutic value of horseback riding has been long understood in Europe, only in the past few decades has enthusiasm grown for this type of therapy in the United States.

“It is fitting that NYU’s Rusk Institute was the first hospital to sponsor children for this innovative therapy,” remarked Richard Brodie Founder and President of the New York Therapeutic Riding Center, “The spirit of Dr. Rusk is very much alive.”

Photo opportunities and interviews with parents, children and staff are available every Tuesday from 4 - 5pm at the Claremont Stables, 175 W. 89th Street, Manhattan, through August 30th.

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