National equine center celebrates 33 years in town of Woodside National equine center celebrates 33 years in town of Woodside (September 22, 2004)

As part of its annual fundraising campaign, the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT) is celebrating its 33 years in Woodside with a week of special events October 4-9.

The center works with disabled children in its therapeutic programs, including "hippotherapy," which uses the movement of a horse to improve the rider's neurological function and sensory processing, said Summer Lopez, development director for the center.

Aside from services for disabled people, NCEFT has a traditional physical therapy clinic for riders or non-equestrians who, as a result of insult or injury, require short-term rehabilitative services, said Ms. Lopez.

"Since our therapists are familiar with the mechanics of riding, this clinic lends itself ideally to those seeking a return to riding," she said.

NCEFT's gym was renovated to accommodate the new clinic, and it now has a full range of therapy equipment, and fitness and exercise machines, said Ms. Lopez. The gym is also used for Pilates classes for the general public.

Reception, open house

An invitation-only, donor-appreciation reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 4, at the Village Pub in Woodside.

An open house and reception will be held at the NCEFT facility, 5001 Woodside Road, Woodside, on Thursday, October 7. There will be tours and opportunities to observe therapy sessions during a 2 to 4 p.m. open house and a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception from 4 to 6 p.m.

Photographer Nancy O'Brien will exhibit her photos of wild horses, and a silent auction will include a photo portrait by Ms. O'Brien. Both the open house and reception are open to the public.

The public is also invited to a pancake breakfast on Saturday, October 9, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Woodside Fire Station, 3111 Woodside Road in Woodside. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under.

Expanded scope

From its beginnings in 1971 as a pony club, promoting horsemanship and sportsmanship, NCEFT has expanded its scope and now provides such services as therapeutic vaulting, therapeutic riding, a physical therapy clinic, fitness and educational classes, said Ms. Lopez.

This fall NCEFT has a new program, "Adventures with Horses," a therapeutic learning class for kindergarteners and first-graders with asperger or autistic spectrum disorders.

About 100 children a week are using NCEFT services and 65 percent of these children receive some level of financial assistance, said Ms. Lopez.

INFORMATION

The public is invited to these events:

** An open house (2 to 4 p.m.) and reception (4 to 6 p.m.) at the NCEFT facility, 5001 Woodside Road in Woodside, on Thursday, October 7.

** A pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, October 9, at the Woodside fire station, 3111 Woodside Road in Woodside. Cost: $8 for adults; $4 for children 12 and under.

For more information on the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy, call Summer Lopez at 851-2271, ext. 5, or go to www.nceft.org.

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