ALMetro360

Bringing Joy and Healing to the Heart of Alabama S TAFF R EPORT N ONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS EMBODY THE BEST OF THE H EART OF A LABAMA AND ARE ESSENTIAL TO KEEPING THE HEARTBEAT OF THE COMMUNITY STRONG . T OGETHER THEY ENCOURAGE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP , DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH , AND STRENGTHEN THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY . he Montgomery Area Nontraditional Equestrians (MANE) is one of many amazing nonprofits in our area. In ad- dition to strengthening the commu- nity as a whole, they have been bring- ing joy and healing to children and adults through therapeutic horseback riding opportunities for over 25 years. Located on 44 beautiful acres off Wallahatchie Road in the Pike Road community, MANE’s facilities were specifically designed with therapeutic programs in mind to accommodate riders with all types of disabilities, as well as families and large school groups. The facilities include a large and small outdoor riding arena; 15- stall barn with indoor riding arena and mechanical lift; indoor, outdoor patio viewing areas; three acre state-of-the-art sensory integration trail; enclosed round pen; and an indoor classroom, meeting room and office building. MANE is managed by a team of equine enthusiasts and profes- sionals many of whom have backgrounds in human development and behavioral specialists and are PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International ) certified instructors. One of the ways the staff at MANE made the most of the recent stay-at-home order was to take the opportunity to research addi- tional ways to be of service to the community through continual and versatile virtual education. According to Jessica von Gal, MANE’s Volunteer Coordinator, the equine herd was also impacted by COVID-19. They enjoyed an extended spring-into-summer break interrupted intermittently by the staff to maintain physical and mental well being through vigorous exercise and therapeutic training. They were also treated to an “abundance of one on one pampering.” If nonprofits are the heartbeat of the community, volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofits. Each miraculous step MANE’s stu- dents take would not be possible without the hard work and ded- 46 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com ........................................................................................................................................ b OF ALAB eat AMA ETH T MANE offers safe and effective therapeutic horseback riding opportunities to children and adults in the Tri- County region.