About Us
Cloud Dancers Therapeutic Horsemanship Program, Inc. (Cloud Dancers) is an Albuquerque-based recreational horsemanship program founded in 1982 for people with disabilities. We are a 501c(3) non-profit organization located in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our goal is to provide individuals with an opportunity for a unique therapeutic, recreational experiece in a fun, safe environment.
Cloud Dancers is an Affiliate Center Member of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association). Cloud Dancers offers both a Therapeutic Riding Program and a Hippotherapy Program, which is facilitated by an onsite Occupational Therapist.
We also contract with a licensed psychotherapist who, using a therapeutic groundwork approach with clients, promotes positive change through healing and self-discovery.
Our certified instructors and trained volunteers focus on the riders' abilities. While many of our riders have serious physical and developmental challenges, they can overcome many of the barriers they experience in their everyday lives by using skills learned while riding. A person with physical limitations can find new opportunities for mobility on a horse, while others may experience increased confidence, pride, and responsibility.
Our Hippotherapy program follows the guildelines set by the American Hippotherapy Association, which promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy sessions for people living with disabilities. Hippotherapy has been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development, and emotional well being.
Belinda is one of our happy riders! |
