Handbook for Riders and Parents - Therapeutic Riding

4/27/2018

Handbook for Riders and Parents

One Step Closer Therapeutic Riding, Inc. 15770 Foothill Avenue Morgan Hill, CA 95037 408-778-3567 Website

Email one.step.closer@ Facebook

Effective June 20, 2018

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Welcome to One Step Closer!

This handbook contains important information about OSC and the forms we need completed for enrollment. If you are enrolling for the first time, please complete the forms and then contact the office to schedule a meeting with the Program Director at the ranch. This is an opportunity for the Program Director to meet you, to understand the goals for the rider, to determine if equestrian activities are safe and appropriate for the rider, and to determine which horse is best suited for the rider.

All riders are required to complete new forms once per year. This assures we have current medical and emergency contact information for each rider, and that we are compliant with PATH Standards.

About One Step Closer Therapeutic Riding

One Step Closer Therapeutic Riding, Inc. was founded in September 2006 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and Christian ministry. OSC exists to help our clients achieve their goals for physical, emotional, cognitive, and social skills development. We use horsemanship to help our clients develop life skills to be as independent as possible in life. OSC staff and volunteers serve all people without bias of race, religious beliefs, gender identity, or economic status.

OSC is a Premier Accredited Center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). As a PATH center member, OSC abides by strict guidelines for safety and effectiveness. All lessons are taught by a PATH Certified Therapeutic Instructor. Lessons are supported by a team of volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to help assure safe lessons.

The Board of Directors, Advisors, and Instructors represent the leadership team of One Step Closer, using their diverse expertise and talents to guide the program and maintain the highest level of service and integrity to our participants.

One Step Closer offers two primary programs:

The adaptive riding program serves riders as young as 4 years of age. There is no upper age limit. Riders in this program have diagnoses that include autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury (TBI), paraplegia, and more. There are approx 30 riders per week in the adaptive riding program. These riders attend a one-hour lesson once per week. Sometimes new riders will begin with a 30 minute lesson until they can develop their focus and stamina for a one hour lesson. A one hour lesson typically means 45 minutes in the saddle, with time for mount and dismount. Lessons typically have 2-3 riders of similar ability. School Readiness is a riding curriculum used in the adaptive riding program, for children in the ages of 4 ? 8 years, focusing upon outcomes applicable to success in the classroom. These outcomes include appropriate behavior, attention span, communication, learning the alphabet, planning and problem solving, and more.

The military program serves active soldiers and veterans to help them heal from physical and emotional wounds of war. The military program is operated in partnership with Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System.

One Step Closer is open Monday ? Saturday, year round. Contact the office for specific lesson times. Visitation is by appointment only.

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In addition to the instructor, a team of up to three volunteers may be needed for the student to ride safely. Dedicated and trained volunteers from all walks of life team up to give the special-needs individual an opportunity to experience an activity which can make a difference in their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being.

A professional, safety-conscious environment for the riders, volunteers and horses is of primary importance to OSC. We also have a lot of fun! Therapeutic riding, done in a professional and safetyconscious manner, brings feelings of boundless joy and accomplishment for all those involved.

CONTRAINDICATIONS There is an inherent risk in any activity with horses. Our goal is to maximize effectiveness and minimize risk. A condition in which the risk outweighs the reward is called a contraindication and prohibits the individual from participating in programs at One Step Closer. These guidelines are in accordance with PATH regulations. Contraindications can be physical and/or behavioral. Any behavior that endangers the rider, the horse, or other humans is grounds for removal from the arena or dismissal from the program. The PATH list of contraindications is available upon request.

OSC has a rider weight limit. Rider weight in excess of 200 lbs will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

WHAT RIDERS SHOULD WEAR AND BRING ASTM-SEI approved equestrian helmets are required and must be put on before approaching horses. Riders can buy their own helmets or borrow helmets from OSC. Contact us for recommendations if you plan to buy your own helmet. Proper helmet fit is important. Ponytails or pigtails may not fit comfortably under helmets, so it is better to have them clasped at the nape of the neck or below the bottom of the helmet.

For safety as well as comfort, riders should wear long pants, comfortable shirts, and riding boots or shoes with slick sole and heel. Hiking boots, tennis shoes, sandals, and shorts are not appropriate for horseback riding. Dressing in layers may be necessary. The temperature at OSC may be different from the city, cooler or hotter, so plan accordingly. During the summer, be sure you dress cool. Sunglasses are acceptable and sun screen is recommended.

Avoid dangling jewelry or scarves that can get entangled with equipment or frighten the horse. Any valuables, including cellphones, should be left in your locked vehicle. Riders should not bring toys to the arena, as they may be a distraction from the lesson or startle the horses.

It's a good idea to bring your own bottled water.

INCLEMENT WEATHER Lessons will be cancelled when there is, or forecast to be, extreme weather conditions including lightning, rain, extreme wind, extreme heat. This is done for the safety of all participants. When a lesson is cancelled due to weather conditions, it will be noted on our website calendar (). If you are uncertain, please check our website before making the drive to the ranch. Lessons cancelled by OSC are credited to the rider, so you are not being charged tuition for lessons cancelled by OSC.

SIBLINGS Siblings at the ranch must be supervised by parents or guardians at all times. They are not allowed to be on the ramps, near the horses, or climbing on equipment. Running, throwing rocks, etc... that can

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distract the riders or frighten horses is prohibited. Please do not bring other toys, balls, balloons or similar items that might startle the horses or distract from the lesson. All observers should stay in the designated viewing areas of the viewing bleachers or memorial bench next to the mounting ramp.

LESSON DURATION, 10 WEEK SESSIONS, AND TUITION OSC conducts quarterly sessions to manage the logistics of the riders' schedules, the number of volunteers required, and the rotation of our horses. OSC's goal is to complete 10 lessons within each session, but keep in mind these may be impacted by weather and other factors out of our control.

Each enrolled participant has a reserved day/time slot for the 10-week session. A one-hour timeslot provides for approximately 45 minutes in the saddle. Similarly, a 30 minute timeslot provides for approximately 20 minutes in the saddle.

The quarterly schedule gives all participants and families better visibility for personal planning. We hope this schedule allows you to plan your family time and vacations. We are closed on major holidays including Presidents Day Weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, July 4, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving, and Christmas through New Year's Day. We also close when our instructors must attend conferences and training clinics for their continuing education.

We ask that all riders commit to the 10 lesson session. Near the end of each session we will contact each rider/family to find out if the rider will continue enrollment in the next session. Priority will be given to continuing riders. Although we do our best to accommodate riders returning after a break, spots may be filled if riders skip a session.

Tuition Tuition revenue covers approximately 20% of the operating expenses of the program. The remaining 80% of the operating expenses are covered by donations and grants. Tuition for each 10-week session is as follows

Group lesson / one hour per week = $60 per lesson, $600 per 10 week session Private lesson / one hour per week = $80 per lesson, $800 per 10 week session Group Lesson / Half-hour = $40 per lesson, $400 per 10 week session

Payment Options: 1. Payment in full prior to the start of the session. 2. Two installments a. 50% paid 2-weeks prior to start of the session b. 50% balance paid midway (week 5) through the session.

Tuition can be paid in advance or in two installments, but keep in mind payment must be made in advance of the lessons. This greatly helps us reduce our administrative time so we can focus our resources on other aspects of program operations. We accept cash, checks, credit cards and PayPal. Credit card and PayPal will include a 3% processing fee that OSC is charged by the financial institution. If using a credit card we will need advanced notice to prepare arrangements.

Late payment: Failure to make payment in a timely manner may result in suspension of lessons or removal from the program.

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Missed Lesson Due to Illness, etc... If the rider is ill and cannot attend his/her lesson, please notify One Step Closer as soon as possible by calling the Program Director's cellphone 408-391-2619. This will give her time to notify volunteers.

Credits We understand that students may have to miss a lesson due to illness, IEP, or family emergency. We can credit only one absence per session. Thank you for your understanding of this limitation. Any lessons cancelled by One Step Closer due to extreme weather, holiday, etc will be credited to the rider. A positive balance at the end of a session can be applied to the next session or refunded if the participant is not continuing.

Refunds Refunds will only be given if the student has completed the session and has a positive balance remaining. Refunds will be issued by check within 1 week of the request.

Scholarships A scholarship fund exists to provide temporary tuition aid for families in financial hardship. This fund for partial scholarships is supported solely by donations. Funds are limited and each application is reviewed by the Board of Directors and awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. Scholarships must be approved each year.

Forms for Enrollment The following pages include Barn Rules and Code of Conduct created for the safety of participants, families, volunteers, staff, and horses. The Barn Rules are primarily for staff and volunteers, but some items apply to riders and families. Please read these carefully. You will be required to sign on the application that you have read and understood and agree to comply with these rules.

The final pages include the forms that need to be completed for enrollment. Please bring these completed forms with you to the meeting with the Program Director:

- Application and Health History to be completed by rider, parent, or legal guardian. - Physician's Statement to be completed by rider's primary physician. It is important that the

rider's physician knows and approves of equestrian activities for the rider. - Liability release - Emergency Medical Contact and Information These forms must be completed annually. This helps us assure we have current medical and emergency contact information. Participants with Down Syndrome must have an annual medical clearance from a licensed physician that includes a neurological exam that specifically denies any symptoms consistent with atlantoaxial instability (AAI).

CONFIDENTIALITY and Release of Information All participant information, including but not limited to enrollment form information, equestrian skills, and instructor progress reports is considered confidential. Any requests by outside sources for access to this information must be approved in writing, with a current date of signature, from the participant or participant's parent/legal guardian. Contact the OSC office for the permission form.

Cause for Dismissal from the Program The following circumstances may be cause for a rider to be removed from riding or dismissed from the program:

- A physical or behavioral contraindication

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