RIDER HANDBOOK. Paradise Equestrian Therapy Center (P.E.T.) E. Co. Rd. 750 N Charleston, IL Phone:

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1 RIDER HANDBOOK Paradise Equestrian Therapy Center (P.E.T.) E. Co. Rd. 750 N Charleston, IL Phone: Fax: petcenter2007@yahoo.com Website: pethorse.org Visit us on Facebook Page 1 of 9

2 We are looking forward to you participating in the P.E.T. program! As you can well imagine, many elements must work in harmony in order to provide the best service possible. We need capable horses, dedicated volunteers, trained staff and community involvement for financial resources. We also need the cooperation of our riding families to keep operations running smoothly. We are very thankful for the great community we have developed at P.E.T. General Information Paradise Equestrian Therapy Center is a nonprofit, 501 (3) charitable organization founded for the purpose of providing equine-assisted activities and therapy for individuals with special needs. Mission Statement Our mission is to change lives through equine-assisted activities and therapies which promote health, fitness and socialization for people with special needs. Equine Liability Law Equine Activity Liability Act. (Source: P.A , eff ) (745 ILCS 47/5) The Liability Act recognizes that equine activities are hazardous to participants, regardless of all feasible safety measures that can be taken. Each participant who engages in an equine activity expressly assumes the risk of and legal responsibility for injury, loss, or damage to the participant or the participant s property that results from participating in an equine activity, except in specific situations as set forth in Section 20, when the equine activity sponsor or equine professional may be held responsible. Each participant shall have sole individual responsibility for knowing the range of his or her own ability to manage, care for, and control a particular horse or perform a particular equine activity, and it shall be the duty of each participant to act within the limits of the participant s own ability, to maintain reasonable control of the particular horse or horses at all times while participating in an equine activity, to heed all posted warnings, to perform equine activities only in an area or in facilities designated by the horseman, and to refrain from acting in a manner that may cause or contribute to the injury of anyone. Each participant, or parent or guardian of a minor participant, may execute a release assuming responsibility for the risks of engaging in equine activities. The release shall give notice to the participant, or parent or guardian, of the risks of engaging in equine activities, including (i) the propensity of an equine to behave in dangerous ways that may result in injury to the participant, (ii) the inability to predict an equine s reaction to sound, movements, objects, Page 2 of 9

3 persons, or animals, and (iii) the hazards of surface or subsurface conditions. A release shall remain valid until expressly revoked by the participant or, if a minor, the parent or guardian. Non-Discrimination Policy Paradise Equestrian Therapy Center accepts riders regardless of age, religion, race, color, nationality or ethnic origin, economic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. Eligibility Criteria Safety and maximizing the therapeutic benefits of equine activities are primary concerns of a successful program. Due to the capacities of volunteer side walkers, current program horses, insurance requirements and industry standards, P.E.T. is limited to accepting riders who: Weigh less than 250 pounds Are able to be effectively supported by side walkers Do not exhibit conditions that are contraindicated Have current signed and dated paperwork Benefit physically, emotionally, socially and/or cognitively from the P.E.T. program Complete an intake assessment interview with head instructor and P.E.T. staff where it is determined that eligibility criteria are met Do not threaten the health or well-being of other participants, horses, volunteers or staff Acceptance A potential participant is not a candidate for equine programming if conditions exist that contraindicate equestrian participation as determined by a licensed physician, or if a participant is unable to adhere to P.E.T. policies are set forth in this P.E.T. Rider Handbook. A team consisting of P.E.T. staff, the Head Instructor/Program Director and information found in the Rider s Packet will make the final determination of acceptance and appropriateness for specific programs for any given participants. Eligibility will be re-evaluated as necessary. Wait List and Placement Upon completion of all required paperwork and an intake assessment, prospective participants will be added to the primary waiting list. It is the rider s responsibility to notify P.E.T. of any changes in contact information. Failure to do so may impact notification of lesson openings. Page 3 of 9

4 Lesson tuition covers a small percentage of the actual cost of providing each lesson. The subsidized rate is an effort to make the benefits of equine-related activities as affordable as possible. P.E.T. is a nonprofit and must raise funds to help reduce the cost to our participants. A rider who is unable to pay the fee for their program may be able to apply for a Ridership to cover the balance. For more information about Riderships, contact Penny Allen. Ridership Funds Riders who are not able to pay the full fee for the P.E.T program may apply for Ridership (scholarship) funds. Ridership scholarships may be a private, group or corporate sponsorship available to help cover the fees that the client is unable to pay. See Penny Allen for a Ridership Application. All guidelines specified on the Ridership application must be adhered to and fulfilled in order to maintain eligibility for funding assistance. More than two no-show-no-call absences in a calendar year results in dismissal of participant. Parents are expected to help sell raffle tickets and participate in other fundraising activities throughout the year. Attire For rider s safety, appropriate footwear for horseback riding is important. This attire includes a sturdy-soled, ankle-high boot with a heel. The heel should be no greater than one inch. Shoes with bulky rubber soles do not more easily into and out of the stirrup and are therefore unsafe for horseback riding. Footwear for riders with special physical needs is considered on an individual basis. Appropriate trousers/pants for horseback riding include jeans, riding breeches, sweat pants, or leggings. Shorts, skirts, and other knee length apparel is not permitted. Safety Rules P.E.T. strives to provide the safest possible environment for riders, volunteers, staff and visitors. Horses, however docile, are capable of reacting in panic to unforeseeable stimuli. Working around and riding horses are at risk activities. The following rules must be followed at all times: All riders must wear an ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet with the chin harness secured when riding, driving or working around the horses All riders must use safety Peacock stirrups Parents, family members and guest are to remain behind the fence in the parent viewing area unless invited by staff to come to the arena area Page 4 of 9

5 Refrain from engaging in conversation with any riders during the therapy session as it may be distracting to riders, staff and volunteers who may need to listen for important lesson and safety instructions No smoking anywhere on the premises No food or beverages in the riding arena No pets allowed on the grounds All minors (including siblings) must be supervised at all times Closed toed shoes are required in the barn and arena area. No sandals or crocs are permitted All horse areas are off limits including paddocks, stalls and fields Non-riders and riders waiting for, or have been released from a therapy session are to stay clear of all horses unless accompanied by staff. Do not feed the horses by hand Running, pushing, yelling or other actions that might frighten a horse, or rider is strictly prohibited No one is allowed on P.E.T. property without the presence of a designated P.E.T. staff member Code of Conduct Thoughtful conduct and self-control factor into the safety and enjoyment of all participants. All persons at P.E.T. are expected to adhere to the following code of conduct: Respect all persons-no abusive language or actions Respect all property Refrain from loud, abrupt noises and actions or behaviors which may startle horses, or riders Late Arrival Therapy sessions will last for 45 minutes. Participants arriving more than 15 minutes late will not be able to participate in their scheduled session. Attendance Policy ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL! Each session of therapeutic service costs approximately $80 an hour when daily expenses are averaged out. Expenses include electricity, water, horse feed, hay, veterinary expenses, tack items, office supplies, etc. Absences without prior notification are considered unexcused absences. Participants are permitted no more than 2 unexcused absences in a calendar year. Each unexcused absence is followed up with a reminder from the instructor to make sure you still want to participate in the program. We understand that there are times when you will not be able to attend. However, when you do not attend without notifying P.E.T., we waste the time of our volunteers. If that happens Page 5 of 9

6 often enough, they stop coming. If you cannot attend the scheduled therapy session, please contact us ahead of time so we can let the horse and volunteers leave the arena. If you cannot attend regularly, you will be asked to allow someone else to take your place. We are asking you to make sure you are serious about being a part of the program before you sign up. If you need to cancel due to sickness, we understand, but please contact us as soon as possible so we can alert our volunteers and staff. Communication Beginning April 2016, P.E.T. will use an /text scheduling service called 10to8 as a more efficient means of communication. Riders will receive reminders of their therapy sessions through this new service. When the reminder is received, you will be asked to accept, or decline and make comments. Your reply is then sent back to P.E.T. in advance of your scheduled therapy session. Cancellations If you are unable to attend your scheduled therapy session, please respond to the 10to8 reminder to notify P.E.T. In the case of an emergency requiring a last minute cancellation, please text (217) As a non-profit, P.E.T. relies on volunteers to help with the many tasks involved in lessons. Therefore, the most advanced notice of cancellation is respectful to our volunteer s time. Change of Health or Medication Status Riders, or their guardians, must inform Penny Allen, IN WRITING, immediately of any changes in health or medication. These changes include, but are not limited to, changes in weight, increased/decreased medication dosages, revised diagnoses, medical interventions, surgeries, etc. Failure to do so may inhibit the rider s ability to ride safely. Rider Records Riders, or their guardians, are required to update their registration information and medical history forms annually. All Rider forms must be updated every year. Riders are not permitted to ride without up-to-date forms. Closing Policy P.E.T. may close due to severe weather, a power outage or for any reason that may cause an unsafe condition. In the event of closing, P.E.T. will all riders and volunteers of the situation by noon on the day therapy is scheduled. When in doubt, check Facebook for the most up-to-date information, or call/text Penny Allen at (217) Page 6 of 9

7 Scheduled Closings In addition to the events listed on the calendar or website, there will be no therapy sessions: The week of May 16 20, 2016 P.E.T. will close for the year on November 17, 2016 Check Facebook for updates Confidentiality Rider medical histories, diagnoses and related information are used by Penny Allen to develop goal-oriented lesson plans. General information, as it relates to the success of the riding experience, is shared with volunteers on a need-to-know basis. Changing Your Lesson Time P.E.T. makes every effort to accommodate schedule changes when necessary, however an ideal time cannot be guaranteed. Parents or riders should contact Penny Allen as soon as a change is anticipated. Changes are processed based on the order they are received and the availability of open therapy sessions. Grounds for Dismissal Riders/families that cannot adhere to the policies or the Code of Conduct set for in this handbook will be dismissed from all program activities. All rules and policies are set by the P.E.T. Board of Directors. Program Withdrawal A three week notification is requested when a rider plans to withdraw from the P.E.T. program. Visitors Visitors are always welcome during business hours in the observation area of the facility. Children must be supervised at all times. If visitors would like more information about P.E.T., or a tour of the P.E.T. facilities, please arrange this with Penny Allen. You are responsible for your guest. Visitors are not permitted in the barn area, or any areas where horses are housed or confined unless escorted by a P.E.T. volunteer or staff member. All persons entering the barn area MUST wear closed-toe shoes and follow the barn rules. Volunteer Program P.E.T. cannot operate without the dedication of our volunteers. Some volunteer jobs can be completed in an hour or so, maybe even while your child is riding. Lesson volunteers assist in getting the horses ready for lessons and assisting in classes. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and meet the requirements of the job description to work in the lesson program. Page 7 of 9

8 P.E.T. reserves the right to reject applicants who pose a possible risk to our riders, staff, other volunteers and/or horses. Parents, we encourage you to become a volunteer. However, please keep in mind that while helping directly with your own child may not provide the safest or most effective riding experience, there are plenty of areas where your help would be beneficial to the program. Instructors are responsible for all lesson program volunteer assignments. Volunteers are needed to help organize and to provide assistance with our fundraisers throughout the year, as well as, assist with P.E.T. Community Day and day camps for other organizations. Parents are expected to help sell raffle tickets and to participate in other fundraising activities throughout the year. Please consider how you can help P.E.T. continue to be a strong and thriving program! We look forward to working together and hope you enjoy your equestrian experience with P.E.T.! Page 8 of 9

9 RIDER/GUARDIAN ACCEPTANCE SHEET I understand and agree to follow all rules and policies as outlined in the P.E.T. Rider Handbook. Signature Date Page 9 of 9