By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — The Magical Meadows has had what’s likely its biggest few weeks since the therapeutic horseback riding facility first took root 19 years ago.
The non-profit has enjoyed a huge year as it unveiled plans for a major expansion, enjoyed strong support through fundraising, and then announced a new agreement in which Joe’s kids will oversee a special therapy class at Magical Meadows on Mondays beginning next spring.
Hippotherapy has been shown to benefit kids in various ways for those who face differnt kinds of physical and mental challenges.
Michael Kuhn, executive director with Magical Meadows, tells News Now Warsaw that upcoming construction on two new arenas (plus plans to renovate its main building) will set the stage for much more foot traffic.
“We are anticipating, at least in the first year, for those to double from the previous year, and then over the next five or ten years, we anticipate numbers being close to a thousand people a year we are serving,” Kuhn said.
Kuhn said when they decided to begin working to establish structured kinds of therapy activities with local groups, Joe’s Kids was their first choice.
Joe’s Kids will begin overseeing hippotherapy at the Meadows this spring. Several people remarked on Saturday at the announcement that the two groups’ mission statements overlap nicely.
But Kuhn said they’re also looking to work with other groups.
“Joe’s Kids is kind of the first of these that we’re looking at doing. But a lot of opportunities for more things like this, especially as we expand our facilities,” Kuhn said.
Kuhn, along with the founder Tammy Stackhouse, spoke with News Now Warsaw for In The Know, the public affairs show you can listen to this weekend.
Other aspects they discussed included the future arena set aside for veterans and first responders and the role of Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith in supporting that endeavor.
Recent stories (see links below)
Magical Meadows expansion aims to grow services, aid first responders
Giddy up! Magical Meadows set to begin construction on two new riding arenas
Joe’s Kids will provide specialized therapy service at Magical Meadows
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