August 7, 2003
Ponies help those with disabilities
When a pony came to a special education classroom under the direction of Dr. Fay Jackson on the Wayne State College campus, Brian Hapner of Ainsworth, a gold-medal special olympics athlete, demonstrated rope tricks for an audience last week including several volunteers from Rainbow Riders in Wayne.
Three organizations helping individuals with disabilities were spotlighted during Jackson's Survey of Exceptionalities class.
They included Reins & Lines, Rainbow Riders and Personal Ponies.
Reins & Lines was established in 1976 and offers a program that specializes in driving and riding horse and involving humans with the horse's tactibility to enhance the joy of both rehabilitation and special needs therapy.
Rainbow Riders provides therapeutic horseback riding to mentally, physically and emotionally challenged children and adults of all ages since 1992.
Hapner's horse "Brownie" was given to him by Personal Ponies, a national organization dedicated to the belief the life of children with disabilities can be immeasurably enriched by having a tiny phony to love and care for.
Hapner has cared for the horse since it was small and helped train the horse to ride.
While in Wayne, he demonstrated saddling and barrel riding the horse for the WSC group. He even allowed Fay and others in attendance to ride his horse.
