Riders Bond with Horses at Local Therapeutic Riding Center
Nonprofit Simple Changes marks 20 years with plans to expand and diversify services
MASON NECK, VA- Simple Changes is an equine-assisted therapeutic riding center in Lorton, VA. Founded in 2005, the nonprofit serves people with disabilities with therapeutic services.
The Beginning
Simple Changes co-founders Corliss Wallingford and Jenny Spain met years ago when Wallingford’s daughter participated in therapeutic riding lessons with Spain’s horses in Clifton, VA. The two women recognized the need for a similar center in southeastern Fairfax County. So they became business partners and leased space on the Bureau of Land Management’s Meadowood equestrian facility in Lorton. Lessons began in April 2005.
Twenty years later, Simple Changes operates on a five-acre farm just down the road from its original location. They serve about 80 clients from age 2 to 90. The clients’ special needs include autism, developmental and neurologic impairment, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities. Simple Changes also serves veterans, brain injury survivors, and seniors with cognitive challenges.
Transforming Lives
Simple Changes transforms lives. Most clients have no riding experience, and most have never been near a horse. Many are in wheelchairs. But once a week, they get to move atop a powerful, beautiful animal. Riding on the horse mimics balanced walking, offering a dynamic sensation they may not otherwise experience.
Anne Tuccillo’s son, Bryan, has mitochondrial disease, a degenerative neurological condition. Bryan loves riding at Simple Changes because it makes him feel strong, and “his” horse, Dori, is so gentle. The two have a special bond. “Bryan also loves the therapists and the volunteers at Simple Changes, his mom said. “They engage in wonderful conversations with lots of laughter.”
Jane Keough’s daughter, Erin, was born with Angelman syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the nervous system and causes developmental and intellectual disabilities. Erin was among the first riders in the program in 2005. “When Erin began riding with Simple Changes,” Jane recalled, “she was not walking independently and had very low muscle tone and many balance issues. Seven months later, Erin took her first independent steps. Simple Changes has enhanced Erin’s life tremendously.”
Jane shared a common dilemma of parenting a child with special needs. “Finding enjoyable activities is a challenge. It’s wonderful to have this activity at Simple Changes that doesn’t need your child to fit into their program but rather accepts and understands their needs.”
The benefits for clients go beyond the physical. The barn has a lift that enables clients in wheelchairs to mount the horses with ease and dignity. There is a noticeable sense of empowerment as these riders sit on a horse and see other people from above eye level for a change.
The Challenges of Running a Nonprofit
Running a nonprofit is tough. There’s never enough money, volunteers, or time. There are horses to feed, a mortgage to pay, and problems to solve. Simple Changes charges clients just half of the cost for the lessons and programs; fundraising pays the other half. Volunteers contribute some 3,000 hours annually.
Simple Changes currently has eight horses on-site. “It’s a hard job for a horse,” explained Wallingford. “They need to have more than just a kind temperament. Horses are trained to be either hand-led or ridden, but we ask the horses to do both at the same time.” Through tender care and professional training, the horses working at Simple Changes rise to the challenge beautifully.
With these talented and trained horses, the instructors teach their riders how to follow directions and make decisions, another measure of dignity and a rare taste of independent agency.
The Future
The goal of Simple Changes is to provide a wider range of equine-assisted services to a variety of individuals and groups. For example, not all of the activities take place on horseback. Unmounted programs work well with veterans, leadership groups, and seniors. Simple Changes plans to continue to increase the number and diversity of its services and participants in the next three to five years.
They are developing partnerships with mental health professionals, leadership coaches for team building, nursing and assisted living facilities, and organizations assisting brain injury survivors. They recently conducted an Equines for Elders program that brought seniors with dementia to the farm to practice receptive and expressive language skills.
Simple Changes plans to conduct a capital campaign over the next couple of years to pay off the mortgage and focus resources on their growing community. If you’d like to help, please consider donating. Visit simplechanges.org. If you’re a professional fundraiser looking for a new opportunity, they’d love to hear from you.
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