Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Community
Foundation, and Pizza Hut, which sponsors
a golf tournament each year in June. TREC’s
biggest annual fundraiser, Urban Cowboy,
raised more than $10,000 and entertained
500+ people last year. This year’s fundraiser is
Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Bourbon Barrel on
the corner of 12th and State streets.
Racine is confident in the safety and
reliability of the TREC school horses. “Each
prospective horse comes to our facility on a
30- to 60-day trial basis where trained equine
experts observe the horse in every aspect of
behavior and temperament. Any horse we
accept must be gentle, dead-broke, patient, and
steady around noise, ramps, wheelchairs and
horse toys,” she explains. And all 11 of TREC’s
current horses have passed this test.
A new program this year coordinated by and
funded through the Autism Society involves
older teens and younger adults and is an
extension of the elementary school program
called “Framework for Independent Living.”
“Riders are given tasks,” Rositer says,
“and we monitor and observe to check for
improvement on those tasks, as well as eye
34 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Millcreek
contact, ability to answer questions and
socialization.”
Another new program, “Beyond the Saddle,”
uses groundwork rather than riding to develop
the human/horse connection by teaching
skills like moving the horse without a lead
rope or halter by just using body language.
“Instructors Stephanie Sawtelle and Danielle
Clark understand how horses have the ability
to interact with humans on a meaningful level,”
notes Rositer.
In addition, TREC provides a Saturday
morning riding opportunity for all veterans
from 10 a.m. to noon at no charge.
For more info about the veterans program,
email [email protected].
Volunteers at TREC experience a strong
sense of community, commitment and
friendship, and Danylko encourages people to
volunteer: “We’re a family, you’re outside, but
under a roof. You get to work with horses, and
the exercise is fantastic.”
Looking for a place to help youth and
adults? Contact TREC at 814.474.5276 or
visit trecerie.org, or stop by 8342 Platz Road in
Fairview. n