Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. is looking for volunteers to help with its special program of therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs. HHTLC, a registered nonprofit organization that is staffed entirely by volunteers, is 10 miles south of Tamaqua near Route 309. It offers therapeutic riding lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings from May through October.

The learning center will hold a required volunteer training session for new lesson volunteers from 1-5 p.m. Saturdayat the center. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to help with riding lessons is required to attend this hands-on training.Lesson volunteers must be at least 14 years old, in good health and able to walk for an hour at a time.While experience with horses and people with disabilities is helpful, it is not necessary. The center welcomes the volunteer assistance of professionals in the allied health fields of physical, occupational and speech therapy. It also needs people with horse experience to lead horses during lessons."Our volunteers tell us that they get a lot more from the program than they give," said Harvey Smith, executive director. "It is very rewarding to be part of the growth and accomplishments of our riders."Therapeutic horseback riding has been shown to improve balance, posture, strength and coordination. It also helps to increase self-awareness, self-confidence, attention span, and independence in the rider. Often, riders also gain improved social skills.HHTLC serves riders with a wide variety of disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism, attention deficit disorder, developmental delays, mental retardation, Down syndrome and traumatic brain injury, among others."Some of our riders receive many different types of therapies," said program director Elaine Smith. "Therapeutic horseback riding is by far their favorite, and riding is the highlight of their whole week. It's the horses that make all the difference."Volunteers are also needed to assist with grounds maintenance, cleaning saddles and bridles, and fundraising.To volunteer, contact Jane Ostroski at 610-298-2546 or

jeohhtlc15@gmail.com.To enroll a rider or more on the center, call 570-386-5679 or visit

www.horsesandhorizons.org.