Using Social Media to Raise Worldwide Awareness For a Cause
As most of my loyal blog readers know, I like to share ways in which social media is being used to make the world a smaller place. Horses have a very special place in my heart. As a child I had the opportunity to participate in a horseback riding program through the Girl Scouts. The innate kindness within each horse touched me deeply.
As an adult I became aware of a unique opportunity known as Therapeutic Riding – otherwise known as Equine Assisted Therapy. These programs focus on children and adults challenged by a range of disabilities including, but not limited to: Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Stroke, Depression, Multiple Sclerosis, as well as victims of physical, mental, or emotional abuse. The kindness and patience of the horses, instructors, and volunteers in Therapeutic Riding Programs combine to produce incredible healing benefits.
Through volunteering with Avalon Therapeutic Equestrian Center and LifeStriders I’ve seen firsthand what a huge impact these programs can have on everyone involved. Magic happens.
One Therapeutic Riding Center, based in the UK, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is using it’s web page, Facebook, and Twitter to unite riders worldwide for the World’s Biggest Riding Lesson on September 28, 2011. The worldwide lesson is a fundraiser for the RDA and is open to any rider at any level. Although the RDA is based in the UK, they have riding centers throughout the world.
The riding lesson to be held on Sept. 28th has 3 lesson plans to choose from – riding, driving, and vaulting. Everyone participating will follow one of these 3 lesson plans as a way to increase awareness about how equine assisted lessons are conducted.
More information on the RDA can be found here RDA .
In the US, PATH International, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, (formerly NAHRA, North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) offers certification and accreditation programs for therapeutic riding instructors and facilities.
If you are interested in learning more, feel free to click on the links!
Feel free to leave any questions, ideas, and feedback below. I love to hear what you have to say. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your Twitter and Facebook friends by clicking on the share buttons, or if you have other bookmark accounts, please click on the any of the sharing icons below and share! I deeply appreciate it!! Thanks so much for your time and attention!
To Your Prosperity!
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Hi Lori,
I’ve read about theraputic riding before and this seems like a wonderful program. Thanks so much for sharing this important information and inspiration!
You’re welcome
Thanks for your comments, Marty!
Great insight Lori, social media has become a powerful tool to share inspiring messages like this. Path International has created a great social media presence and it helps carry their story of helping others.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much for your comments, John!
Hi Lori, I’ve always been so amazed with the impact that therapeutic riding, as well as simply being around horses, makes with different conditions and with all ages of individuals. It’s wonderful that you are using the social media platform to share your interest and your stories.
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Hey Lori,
This is a grat program for people and it is wonderful that you support it. Being a lover of horse too I see so much tenderness that these large animals can share with us. And it is great the social media can bring more attention to some of these great causes to help other who may be needing our help,
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Lori,
Thanks for sharing. I have never heard of the program. My dad and brother have always had horses. I will spread the word to my sister-in-law so she can post this on facebook to get the message out there even more.
Jaden
Jaden Daniels recently posted… 7 Minute Workout, Does It Work?
What a great program Lori.
Peter
Peter Fuller MBA recently posted… How to Attract your Niche to your Blog – Day 5 of 5
Hello lori,
I have been listening to an audio book by the wine guy, GAry Vaner Chuk and he talks about how socail media can helpspread the word on causes. On he newest audio book, the thank you economy, he is addressing businesses about the importance of using social media in this way.
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Using other elements such as the arts or another form of I guess you could call it exercise seems like a great and different approach to therapy, some people like to keep a closed mind that only drugs and surgery are the only means and the social media aspect just gets the word out even faster and more efficiently.
Hi Lori,
I have seen details about theraputic riding and it seems to be a great scheme. It is great to see how Social Media can spread the word to help good causes. All the best Rosemary
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Hi Lori, so great to actually get a first hand behind the scenes explanation on how a program like this runs. It sounds very inspiring, hope it is a huge success in September! Thanks for sharing!
Great post Lori,
I didn’t know anything about Equine Assisted Therapy. What a cool idea! I have always felt that being in nature is curative and therapeutic, and having the opportunity to ride a horse is so unique.
Thanks for sharing information about this great organization.
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Hi Lori! Therapeutic riding is awesome, it is really a great help to the handicapped children. Feels good to know that there are program like this that can really help them. Social media is also a great help to let people know that there are programs like this.. Thanks for sharing.
Jeff
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Hi Lori, it’s great to hear of a program like this that can benefit so many people. I have been involved with horses all my life and I can vouch for the theraputic effect they can have on people. I wish you every success.
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What a wonderful way to use social media! I love your post on helping others. Seems to me that’s what we are about, anyway — making money so we can then give it back. Thanks for an inspiring post!
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Hi Lori,
I love hearing about these programs. Horses hold a special place in my heart as well so I’m especially fond of these programs. It’s great to know that there are folks out there adding greater value to those in need. Thanks for your post.
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Hi Lori, this is a wonderful program! I’ve only ridden a horse once, but it was for about 2 hours, and up a pretty steep narrow path. And, I felt comfortable enough to put all my trust in the horse, he was terrific and very gentle. We were in a group and I was given the oldest horse, so maybe that helped. From that experience, I can see how horses would help people who need extra love and attention.
Regards from Julieanne
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You have a very interesting blog here.. I had never heard of therapeutic riding before but it sounds cools.. Hope you can explain further more about the benefits of this therapy..
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Hi Lori, Thanks for your information. I had some chances to horse club. It is a wondful experience to ride and communicate with these horses. They are so gentle. So I think this program must be great one and could provide valuable help to othes.
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