Our daughter, Nicole, was born with low muscle tone. We were looking for ways for her to strengthen her core muscles. The first program we looked at was waitlisted----- what a blessing that turned out to be! Our friend rode horses at Frying Pan Park, and told me about Davorka “Dada” Suvak, who had a small (at that time) therapeutic riding program. Upon meeting Dada, in September of 2009, we felt like family.
What an amazing ride it has been these past 15 years. Under Dadas amazing way of matching students with horses, Nicole slowly improved. With her balance issues, she had two sidewalkers when she started her journey. What Nicole did not know, as she was having fun on the horses, was that she was actually exercising her muscles ! As time went on, she would lose the sidewalkers, and become an independent rider that can trot all on her own!
These past 15 years have made such an impact on her core muscle strength. We see her do things that she would never have been able to do before. Whether it is her stamina in the pool while swimming, endurance as she plays baseball or just being able to do some physical things that a lot of us take for granted---like being able to back up against a wall and push yourself up to sit on it.
Now, SPIRIT has not only improved her core muscle strength, but has helped her in so many different ways. As a parent, all we can do is bring them to their lesson-----whatever they do in the ring, is all them and their determination. We have witnessed, first hand, how the confidence that Nicole has gained at SPIRIT, spilled over into other aspects of her life. Whether it was subjects in school, tackling a new endeavor, Nicole met those obstacles head on, and with renewed confidence in herself.
As far as friendships made throughout our years with the program----what a blessing these friendships have been. Whether friendships with EALS, volunteers or other parents, we have all been blessed with lasting friendships. When Nicole started her first job at a local coffee house, back in June 2023, many EALS made it a point to be there for her first day. How special for us to see these young ladies show up for our Nicole that day. Our hearts were full as we saw them head out with Nicole at the end of her first shift.
As for SPIRIT itself----when Dada left in the Fall of 2020, to retire back to her home country of Croatia, Michelle took over, and the transition was seamless. Whether it was Dada at the helm, or Michelle, SPIRIT has always excelled at the personal touch. You are not just a customer, you are part of the SPIRIT family. Always working tirelessly to match students with horses, match volunteers/EALS with the riders---and the results speak for themselves. The SPIRIT program has expanded, really exploded, in our years here, and we could not be happier. (As an example of the relationship between helpers and riders, there is a helper who shows solely for one rider. With therapeutic riding, consistency for the riders is such a huge aspect.)
Michelle has taken this program these last four plus years to new heights. Expanding lessons for all students and constantly improving life at the barn for all the SPIRIT horses. As you can tell, we cannot say enough about this amazing program and the incredible impact it has had on all of our lives.
Bravo SPIRIT…..may you continue to do your amazing, life changing work for years to come.
