Madeline Williams with a therapy horse at Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center in Warwick
Madeline Williams
My name is Madeline Williams, and I am a junior at Monroe-Woodbury High School. I am also an Ambassador Girl Scout. I have been a Girl Scout since I was five years old, and I am preparing for my final leg of the adventure, my Gold Award. Earning the highest award is a big commitment, and I have chosen to support a cause that is not only very dear to me, but a great benefit to our community.
Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center in Warwick provides a therapeutic horseback riding experience to help riders with cognitive functioning. Riding horses relaxes tight muscles, improves strength, coordination and motor skills, and stimulates the respiratory and vestibular systems as well as neurological activity.
One of the main components of a hippotherapy lesson is overcoming challenges and trying new activities that engage the senses. Currently, Winslow has an outdoor sensory trail where different activities and challenges are presented such as opening a mailbox and identifying the contents. However, they requested additional experiences. I would like to grant their wishes and add an arched bridge that will present an entirely new experience for the riders.
I have drawn up plans, consulted with my technology and architecture teacher, assembled a team, and reached out to businesses for materials. I have already received an extremely generous donation from Werner’s Ace Hardware in Florida, New York. However, the project still requires more materials. Therefore I am making a public announcement of my project and asking our generous community for monetary donations for lumber so I can move forward with construction.
Please consider donating any amount possible as it will help greatly. Donations can be made up until April 30. Arrangements can be made for cash donations to be picked up and checks made out to Troop 321 can be addressed to 391 Bull Mill Rd, Chester, NY 10918. If you have any further questions about my project, please feel free to contact me at madcwilliams10@gmail.com. Thank you for considering to help me with this important project for our community members in need of Hippotherapy.