Ms. Suvak is a kind, generous woman who teaches her students from her heart. No matter how many years she has spent in this venue she continues to remain the warm, sincere woman who teaches with the utmost consideration of the individual, be it human or equine. Thus despite distractions or any other irregularities, Ms Suvak remains focused on the internal needs of her clients and their horses. Frying Pan Park itself is a busy venue; yet despite horse auctions, tractor pulls, State horse shows, 4-H Fairs and private equestrian lessons, Ms. Suvak works around these scheduled events to provide her clients with as much routine and continuity as possible.
Ms. Suvak’s program is a safely run program, with an intentionally cooperative atmosphere. While some equestrian programs can be restrictive to a degree that the student loses important learning opportunities, Ms. Suvak has a low student to teacher ratio so that her evaluation of each volunteer and riders’ skill is precise. She can carefully moderate and increase rider responsibilities accordingly. Other programs can be less attentive, seemingly offering more ‘hands-on’ learning. This often results in unsafe learned behaviors and reckless interaction with large unpredictable animals. Additionally, the program’s emphasis on volunteerism, brings everyone together so that each individual matters and has something to give to the group. This foundation of caring for others and seeing past disabilities helps all of us learn a valuable life lesson, that of seeing the true worth of a person.
Ms. Suvak offers a variety and depth of learning opportunities to provide development for every individual. She is indefatigable with her clients providing a safe, inviting environment. Her horses are carefully selected and trained for the safety of her clientele. Part of the reason my daughters are so attached to the Spirit program is because of its mission. They love being a part of “providing individuals with … disabilities … safe and fun horseback riding …” They know how powerful and fulfilling the connection to a horse can be and they want to help share it.
My daughter, who was recently diagnosed as twice exceptional with ADHD and gifted abilities, began riding with Spirit Equestrian this summer as part of the therapeutic riding program. Unlike other riding programs, director Dada Suvak, immediately recognized my daughter’s strengths, combined them with the skills needed for equestrian activities and used her strengths to improve areas of difficulty. Dada made her feel like a part of the “Spirit Team” by encouraging her to volunteer and share her talents with others. This led to her feelings of empowerment and opened possibilities for her.
From the beginning, Dada has understood my daughter’s needs and worked with her so ingeniously that my daughter only sees herself as a rider, not a rider with disabilities. To be able to teach like this is a rare gift. We feel truly blessed to have found this opportunity in a location that is accessible to our family.
My daughter had been hoping to ride for many years but opportunities in the immediate area have been limited. When we discovered that not only were riding lessons coming to Frying Pan Park, but that they had a therapeutic component, we were overjoyed.
Spirit Equestrian provides a unique opportunity in this part of the county. With the combination of riding and volunteerism, children gain skills that reach far beyond the riding arena.
Like many other programs, Dada and her dedicated team teach kids to ride and care for horses. But similarities stop there. With its emphasis on volunteerism, Spirit Equestrian brings together kids with and without disabilities in an environment where everyone matters and has something to give to the group. A child does not need to take riding lessons to volunteer. There are many children, teens and adults who make up the Spirit volunteer corps and gain immensely from the opportunity to be a part of something greater than themselves while sharing in the love of horses. I know that volunteering for Spirit will give my daughter a foundation of caring for others and seeing past disabilities to find the true worth of a person.
How many activities that our children are involved in can have that much impact on the people involved?
My daughter has gained so much from just her short association with Spirit Open Equestrian program. I truly hope that she will have the opportunity to continue to grow with the program as it reaches out to children with and without disabilities, brings down barriers and opens doors for all. As well, I hope that it continues to operate at Frying Pan Park, where it is accessible to so many and can showcase and champion therapeutic riding in a venue designed for riders of all abilities.
