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 Dr. Carol Rae Hansen |
ETA is a highly specialized and personalized NARHA Premier Center located in a beautiful and peaceful setting for children and adults, aged three and up, with mental and or physical challenges. ETA added three new buildings in 2006, and built a complete therapy suite with classroom, exercise room, reception area, and a new office. About 18% of our clients are children and adults who are not disabled, but who value private English or Western lessons from certified instructors that emphasize safety, and that are taught at a pace and with content that closely matches individual needs. All riders enjoy music, games, exercises, and stimulating books, which make this a much sought-after format!
What Else Is New? ETA is honored to host for the first time in 2009-2010 two courses for Elderhostel International, both with an educational and service component! ETA also offers national and international courses through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's referral service on Organic Farming, and Organic Farm Volunteer Training. ETA has also expanded its service opportunities to county, state, and private entities interested in providing Vocational Training for the developmentally delayed with four new courses in Equine/Farm Groundskeeping (pasture management), Groom Training, Stable Management, and Stable Assistant Training. ETA is also now offering the services of a physical and an occupational therapist on an on-call basis, both for initial assessments and IEPs, as well as for lesson plan development. All of these new services are provided with an additional charge, and may be reimbursed by insurance and or outside bodies.
ETA is a Premier Operating Center member of North American Riding for the Handicapped (NARHA), and is fully accredited and insured.
ETA is a unique NARHA program that designs an individualized cognitive enrichment program for each client, each quarter of the year, using two to seven books that match the student's academic level. ETA also gives each student their own daily exercise program for use at home, which builds strength, flexibility, and endurance, as well as safety on their horse or pony!
Safety is our top priority, so we loan certified helmets, boots, and body protectors to all students, instructors and volunteers.
Regular private (not group) therapy lessons in a series of 12 each quarter are 1.5-2 hours in length, providing two to three times more contact time per session, at roughly the same cost as other local NARHA centers! All of our lessons are private, offering superb one-on-one skills development.
Up to 40% of our students receive scholarships.
Our Senior Instructors average 25 years of equine experience, and each is NARHA certified. ETA also hosts NARHA Registered level Instructor candidates as Apprentices, and mentors them during the one to three year process.
ETA has added five new programs: the Pre-riding Skills Development Programs for three year olds and those with substantial cases of autism and or developmental delays, a Seniors Riding Program, the Pre-Valuting Program, and a Pre-Driving Program for those with severe allergies and or a fear of heights. Each of these Pre-Riding or Pre-Driving classes are 30 minutes in length in a series of eight lessons. The Seniors lessons are 90 minutes in length.
We train parents or other family members as sidewalkers, thereby assuring instant therapy feedback and creating an enjoyable family experience.
ETA offers lessons year-around in English and Western, and will soon offer driving.
- ETA is located in Montgomery County’s beautiful Agricultural Reserve, 45 minutes from downtown DC, 35 minutes west of Bethesda/Chevy Chase, and 5 minutes west of Potomac, MD. Call (301) 972-7833 to schedule a visit today!
