A therapy participant climbs up on a gentle, well-mannered horse and takes off around the arena. A volunteer walks alongside of the horse – otherwise known as side-walking – to make sure the participant doesn’t fall as they ride around Grace Therapeutic Riding’s barn. 

It’s called hippotherapy – a form of physical therapy that utilizes the natural gait and movement of a horse to provide motor and sensory input. It encourages children to develop independence and confidence, and to carry out daily activities, both at home and at school. Grace Therapeutic Riding, a new member to the co-op, makes it their mission to enrich the lives of people with the use of equine-assisted therapies and training.

“Therapeutic riding is a big umbrella of different ways you can use horses for various therapies. A few years ago, God put this idea on my heart. I knew my dad had really nice horses that we could go trail riding on, and I felt like there was more we could do with them,” Allison Van Wyngarden, the Director and Therapeutic Riding Instructor, explained.

Through a partnership with Kinetic Edge Occupational and Physical Therapy that began in May 2019, participants are able to receive hippotherapy by Ashley Beekman (Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant) with Kinetic Edge and Allison (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) with Grace Therapeutic Riding.

“As a business we’ve done a lot of work in collaboration with Vermeer Corporation; they’ve been really influential in the success of our business and this is just another extension of that. I want to say thank you to the entire Vermeer clan for the way that you’re providing opportunities for us, and this is an excellent thing to be a part of – we’re thankful,” said Troy Vander Molen, CEO of Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy.

Grace Therapeutic Riding started operation at Windy Acres and  moved to the Vermeer Ranch, built by Bob and Lois Vermeer, just a few miles down the road from the co-op’s office on Highway G28. They moved into their new facility - which is outfitted with a free electric water heater from Pella Cooperative Electric and LED lighting - this past summer. On November 18, 2020, Pella Cooperative Electric Communications Director Amy Blunck joined the Pella Area Community & Economic Alliance to hold the facility’s official ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming their new facility to Pella. 

“The passion was visible on everyone’s faces as they shared their story and goals for the riding center at the Dutch Greeter’s ribbon cutting,” Blunck commented, “As a community-centered co-op ourselves, our hearts are always warmed to see one of our members have a passion to serve our local community. We’re pleased to welcome them to the co-op membership.”

The team at the riding center hopes to expand their operations in the future to serve mental health and other therapeutic riding programs. The facility is open a few days a week and is currently accepting new participants. If you are interested in seeking equine therapy or volunteering at the ranch, contact Allison Van Wyngarden with Grace Therapeutic Riding at 641-230-0279 or reach out to Kinetic Edge at 641-621-0230.

*Photos courtesy of Grace Therapeutic Riding