The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma provided grants to two Oklahoma therapeutic riding centers in December – The Right Path and Turing Point. Stillwater’s Turning Point Therapeutic Ranch received a $50,000 grant from MCFOK to support their Horse Therapy Program. This program is designed to help elderly citizens with dementia, first graders with reading challenges, and at-risk teenagers, all thanks to a miniature horse! Turning Point will use the grant to take equine programming to these citizens who can’t come to their barn, acquire additional miniature horses and launch 3-4 pilot projects.
Their first pilot project was launched this Spring. They were able to pilot a 6 week horse therapy session with kids ages 11-17 in a local group home. All participants were in a state of transition from situations of abuse or neglect. All horses were free in the pastures and able to make the choice to interact with the kids. Executive Director, Rachel Royston, said that Baxter stuck with the kids, and if he walked away, he always came back. It opened up great conversations with their therapist on many subjects including feeling safe, communication and healthy boundaries.
They also were able to purchase a horse slant trailer that they are modifying to carry 3 miniature horses to help them expand their program – at this time they have one active miniature horse and one miniature horse in training.
Turning Point Ranch is an organization that benefits both children and elderly Oklahomans. We are proud to support a program that has the potential to improve the lives of both.