YMCA and Leap of Faith unite to help those in need

The beauty of the timeless bond between man and horse may be no better represented than by new program at the Conroe YMCA in a partnership with Leap of Faith equine assisted therapy.

 "This opens a whole other avenue for parents of children with special needs," said Leap of Faith Group Developmental Director Gary Louie, "We handle everything from those with autism to stroke victims." The gate of the horse provides its rider with the simulated movement of human walking, he said. "If you look, it's like two pairs of human legs moving," Louie said. For stroke victims, he said it provides unequalled therapy. "Riding on the horse triggers muscle and memory and gets them back into the flow of walking again," he said.

Leap of Faith participates in such events as the Special Olympics and Houston Livestock and Rodeo Top Hand Show. They have a myriad of exercises and services offered to people in need from toddler to geriatric. The group's website says therapeutic riding helps a wide variety of people. "Therapeutic riding helps clients with visual and hearing impairments, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health Concerns, Mental Retardation, Multiple Sclerosis, Spina Bifida, and Traumatic Brain Injuries."