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It was a great day for a horse show! As reported in The Star Democrat: Positive Strides Therapeutic Riding Center held its Jaime Lee Hutchison Memorial Spring Fling Horse Show on June 17, 2023 to celebrate the end of the spring riding session. The show was held at Timber Grove Farm in Preston, home of Positive Strides. The show was held in memory of Jaime Lee Hutchison, a rider who had participated in the program with Director Kim Thomas. Sadly, Jaime passed away from cancer in 2017. Riders participated in trail and equitation classes while their families and loved ones cheered them on.
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PRESTON, MD - March 1, 2023 - Positive Strides Therapeutic Riding is pleased to announce the appointments of Tracy A. Detrich and David J. Moore to its board of directors effective immediately.
“We are fortunate to have Tracy and David join our Positive Strides’ team,” says Board President Lisa Fitzpatrick. “Their experience, expertise and energy will help us further our important mission.” Detrich has over 20 years of experience in helping and guiding students of all backgrounds and ability levels. Currently, she is the Unified Sports Coach at Easton High School where academic students are paired with students who have learning or physical disabilities. She also teaches the PLTW Biomedical Pathway, a program that increases the number of students pursuing careers in the biomedical sciences, including healthcare. Detrich earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Education from Salisbury University. She has volunteered for Positive Strides for the last 10 years, starting with an environmental awareness program for riders that included crafts, painting / drawing horses and riding horseback to a nearby pond to fish. She also has been involved in Time to Ride, an after school program that combines science, art and horseback riding for at-risk students. “My Pop-pop (grandfather) was a harness racer, so I grew up loving horses,” says Tracy. “I really enjoy working with horses and seeing the love that they bring to people of all abilities.” Moore has 25 years of experience in business ownership, sales, marketing and operations. He currently owns David J. Moore & Associates with RE/MAX, an award winning real estate business ranked in the top 10% by RE/MAX in worldwide sales. In addition, his business is ranked by independent groups in the top 3% on the Eastern Shore and the top 3% in the Baltimore Metro area. Moore and his company focuses on the people they help by providing the best possible experience in the industry. He also likes to pay it forward. For every sale his company makes, he gives a donation to a charity on behalf of the client. "After learning about Positive Strides and meeting the executive director, I was very eager to be involved in and help with such a great cause," says Moore. Moore earned associate degrees in Jurisprudence Law and Information Security. He holds five Information Security-related certifications. “As we welcome our two new members, I’d like to express the board’s appreciation to retiring board members, Jeff Wright and Jack Meyerhoff,” says Fitzpatrick. “Their expertise and commitment to Positive Strides will be missed.” The 2023 - 2024 Positive Strides Board of Directors are: President, Lisa Fitzpatrick; Vice President, Meg Stein; Treasurer, Jack Kirk; Secretary, Jean Schneebli; and Emeritus Director, Jessie Browne. Members at Large are: Mary Cottingham, Tracy Detrich, LeeAnn Hutchison, David Moore and Sandy Wellford King. About Positive Strides Positive Strides has been serving adults and children in Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties for over 40 years. Its mission is to build confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment for individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional needs by utilizing equine-assisted therapies. It is a registered nonprofit organization and an active member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.  Positive Strides Therapeutic Riding Center invites cyclists to its 10th Annual Spring Classic Bike Tour on April 15, 2023, in support of its mission to build confidence, self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment for children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges.
Over 300 cyclists are expected to converge on the town of Easton, MD to participate in a 25, 50 or 62-mile ride along some of the most scenic routes in Talbot County. The Spring Classic starts and ends at Easton High School, 723 Mecklenburg Ave.. Packet pickup is at 8 a.m. It's a fully-supported event with three rest stops and a delicious lunch at the end of the ride. The event will take place rain or shine. Click here to register. Early Bird Registration: $50. Price increases to $60 after February 20, 2023. In addition to the registration fee, we encourage ALL cyclists to donate and/or select “Become a Fundraiser” when they register for the event. It creates a page that can be shared with family, friends and colleagues. Although fundraising is optional, we appreciate every dollar raised to help us help some of the most vulnerable people in Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester and Queen Anne’s counties. “When you ride for Positive Strides, you ride for the countless men, women and children who benefit from horse therapies on the Eastern Shore,” says Kim Hopkins Thomas, executive director of Positive Strides. From autism and addiction recovery to PTSD and cerebral palsy, horses play a powerful role in giving a person the confidence and skills they need to live a fulfilling life. The Spring Classic is known for its friendly volunteers, homemade baked goods and the famous cream of crab soup served at lunch. This event welcomes people of all ages and fitness levels to come together to have fun and fundraise. Please support Positive Strides and its biggest fundraiser of the year. Register: 2023 Spring Classic Bike Challenge Volunteer: www.positivestridescenter.org/volunteer.html Donate: www.positivestridescenter.org/donate.html To learn more about the work Positive Strides does for the men, women and children of the Eastern Shore, go to www.positivestridescenter.org.  As the holidays approach and our thoughts turn to giving, we ask that you consider a gift to our annual appeal, A Pathway to Healing. Your gift allows us to provide financial assistance to clients and quality care to our horses. It helps fund special purchases and maintain our facilities. Below, please find a PDF with information about the people we serve, our 2022 accomplishments and how you can help us help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. You can Donate online or send a check to Positive Strides, PO Box 391, Easton, MD 21061. We wish you a joyous and safe Holiday Season. Jeff Wright Board President Kim Hopkins Thomas Executive Director 
If you weren't able to attend our 40th Anniversary Fall Festival on October 15, 2022, we have a treat for you! Thanks to volunteer Bob Quinn, we captured the celebration on video. See our executive director Kim Hopkins Thomas recognize founders Sandy King and Jessie Browne for their extraordinary contributions to Positive Strides. You'll also see a riding demonstration, tours of the stables, live music, Bucky the mechanical horse and more! Click on the image below to view the video.  Take a video tour of Positive Strides Therapeutic Riding program with Executive Director Kim Hopkins Thomas. In the video, you will see how our therapeutic riding program helps our riders achieve confidence, self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. Highlights include the riders and volunteers who participated in our Spring 2022 Jaime Lee Hutchison Memorial Horse Show. You also will hear a family's heartfelt story of how Positive Strides changed their daughter's life. Click on the image below to take a video tour of Positive Strides. A big thank you to Bob Quinn and Karen Weber-Millstein for their roles in producing the video. 
Positive Strides Therapeutic Riding is pleased to announce the appointments of LeeAnn Hutchison and Lisa Fitzpatrick to its Board of Directors effective immediately.
“We are fortunate to have LeeAnn and Lisa join the board,” says Board President Jeff Wright. “Their wealth of experience and commitment to our mission are immeasurable.” Hutchison has been a long-time volunteer and advocate for Positive Strides. “Positive Strides holds a special place in my heart,” says Hutchison. “My daughter, Jaime Lee, rode with the program for several years and I witnessed the positive impact it had on her brief life. It helped make her more confident and happier.” In 2020, Positive Strides worked with Hutchison to develop and lead Time to Ride, an after-school program that gets students out of the classroom and into the farm environment. Its purpose is to introduce at-risk, school-age children to horseback riding and horse care in a safe, welcoming environment. Hutchison spent her career in education. She retired in 2018 after teaching at Easton High School for 30 years. She taught Academic Biology, AP Environmental Science and AP Biology. She spent five years with the Maryland State Department of Education as an Environmental Education Specialist. She earned her Masters in Interdisciplinary Science from Johns Hopkins University and Bachelors from the University of Maryland. She is the author and contributor to several education-related manuals, publications and books. Fitzpatrick recently moved back to the Eastern Shore and immediately wanted to support Positive Strides and its riders. “It is wonderful to be back working with horses once again. It is an honor not only to help our riders develop but being on the Board of Directors will allow me to use my business expertise as well.” says Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick spent her early years riding and showing on the Eastern Shore of Maryland after moving to the area from Washington, DC. When the former Talbot Special Riders first began, she was happy to lend a hand before heading off to college. Recently she volunteered at Ronald Reagan National Airport with Travelers Aid. She especially enjoyed working with Arc’s Wings for Autism/Wings for All. The program gives families and aviation professionals the confidence to fly by going through airport ‘rehearsals.’ Through support and training the volunteers shared their love of the airport with children and their families who needed a helping hand. As a small business owner, educator and leader in her industry, Fitzpatrick has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to guide an organization. She has spent her career in architecture and interior design. For the last six years, she has been a full-time professor in interior design at Northern Virginia Community College and an adjunct professor at Marymount University. She has worked for and with architects and engineers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Virginia, DC and abroad. She has served on professional and non-profit boards regionally and nationally and has led them through strategic planning, fundraising, and education. Fitzpatrick earned her Master of Arts in Interior Design from Marymount University; her Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and her Diploma in Arts / Irish Studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She has been published in reference materials related to ‘Sense of Place and the Airport’ and is currently working on her first book of literary nonfiction set in Ireland. About Positive Strides Celebrating 40 years, Positive Strides serves adults and children in Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. Its mission is to build confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment for individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional needs by utilizing equine-assisted therapies. It is a registered nonprofit organization and an active member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. For more information, visit www.positivestridescenter.org. Positive Strides will host the Jaime Lee Hutchison Memorial Horse Show on Saturday, June 11, 2022, starting at 9:00 a.m. at Timber Grove Farm, 6292 Statum Road in Preston, Maryland. “We will be showcasing the wonderful work our riders have accomplished during the Spring Therapeutic Riding Session,” said Kim Hopkins Thomas, executive director of Positive Strides. “They begin each 10-week session with specific goals, and we do our best to help them achieve them.” Riders will compete in an equitation class and jumping class. A recognition ceremony will be held late morning to early afternoon. The public is invited to attend and support our riders at no charge. Donations are appreciated. Food will be available for purchase on site. The series is held in loving memory of Jaime Lee Hutchison who tragically lost her battle with cancer in 2017. She was a long-time therapeutic rider at Timber Grove Farm, home of Positive Strides. About Positive Strides Celebrating 40 years, Positive Strides serves adults and children in Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. Its mission is to build confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment for individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional needs by utilizing equine-assisted therapies. It is a registered nonprofit organization and an active member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. Press Contact Karen Weber-Millstein Positive Strides [email protected]   As published in the April 2022 issue of Attraction Magazine:
Positive Strides Therapeutic Riding Center was founded 40 years ago by Sandy King and Jessie Browne to combine their passions for horses and helping people. It was known as Talbot Special Riders for many years and served a small group of riders with special needs in the Talbot County area. As the need for equine-assisted activities and therapies grew, the organization grew to serve adults and children in Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. Equine therapy can play a powerful role in giving a person the confidence and skills they need to live a fulfilling life. From autism and addiction recovery to PTSD and cerebral palsy, equine therapy can play a powerful role in giving a person the confidence and skills they need to live a fulfilling life. Positive Strides’ CATCH Riders program helps youth at risk and adults recovering from family violence and sexual abuse. Just brushing and interacting with a horse can calm a person with dementia or help someone with depression. In 2019, the organization rebranded itself to Positive Strides to reinforce the confidence, self-esteem and optimism that its riders achieve through its therapeutic horse programs. “Our riders are wonderful and inspire us each and every day.” says co-founder Sandy King. “They are so proud of themselves, as they should be, and their smiles say it all.” According to Sandy, riding can help strengthen muscles in the rider’s body associated with speech. Several children who were told they would never speak have spoken their very first words while riding. “During our 2021 Fall Session, the therapist of one of our new riders reported that he constantly talks about the time he spends riding,” says Kim Hopkins Thomas, executive director. “According to her, he is normally very shy and reserved in interactions with others. But as soon as he arrives on the farm, he has a huge smile on his face! He loves telling his horse to ‘walk on’ and ‘whoa.’ He is making great strides at being able to ride more independently.” Setting goals with individual riders and working toward achieving them are part of each program. A common goal is to help riders begin to ride independently for an appropriate amount of time based on their abilities. It helps improve their balance, self-esteem and sense of self-worth. “I have been taking my grandson to Positive Strides since January 2018,” says the grandfather of a rider. “He has had problems most of his life. He has been in quite a few programs that the State has tried, and most have failed, leaving him feeling he can’t do anything right and that he is a failure in life. Each week at Positive Strides, he seems to be improving in his riding habits and his overall attitude towards life. I have asked him about his riding and how it makes him feel. He told me that when he is riding, it makes him feel free and in control of his emotions. His teachers and all of the volunteers treat him as though he is important, and he feels that most vividly.” Positive Strides couldn’t operate without the help of its volunteers. “Our volunteers are the backbone of Positive Strides,” says Sandy. “They are dedicated, enthusiastic and believe in our mission.” It can take up to three volunteers per rider, one to lead the horse and two to walk on each side of the rider. Sessions are conducted for 32 weeks over the winter, spring, summer and fall seasons. Like many other organizations, COVID-19 impacted operations and took a toll on the nonprofit’s finances. “We had to suspend all services and fundraising for over a year yet continued to provide top notch care to our seven therapeutic horses and ponies,” says Kim. After training volunteers on COVID protocols and putting in place additional safety and health practices, Positive Strides resumed therapeutic riding sessions in 2021 and expects to be back to full capacity in 2022. In fact, there are plans to expand its stables and add two more horses to its programs to support future growth. One new area that has taken off has been the Time to Ride program for at-risk youth. Created by the American Horse Council, Time to Ride is an after-school program that gets students out of the classroom and into the farm environment. Positive Strides is a certified Time to Ride facility. “In a recent pilot program, we hosted nine students from Dorchester County Public Schools for six weeks,” says LeeAnn Hutchison, program instructor. “The program focuses on instructional education, hands-on education, and information on careers in the equine industry. It combines history, art and science education with riding horses to provide fun and engaging activities in an outdoor setting. The kids loved it which makes us want to expand and reach more of them.” As a nonprofit, donations are essential to the success of its programs. “We are grateful to our supporters who have made it possible for us to serve the Mid Shore for the last 40 years,” says Sandy. “Thank you with all my heart for being a part of the extraordinary, winning Positive Strides team.” While much has changed in the last 40 years, Positive Strides continues to work hard to create a pathway to healing for children and adults in our community. That will never change. Positive Strides Therapeutic Riding Center invites you to participate in our 9th annual Spring Classic Bike Tour on April 9, 2022, in support of our mission to build confidence, self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment for children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges.
Come for the crab soup, stay for the scenic ride Shore Boys famous cream of crab soup, homemade treats and friendly volunteers await you in Talbot County, Maryland where you’ll find some of the most scenic roadways and water views on the Easton Shore. Click here to register. Early Bird Registration: $45. Price increases after February 14, 2022. The Spring Classic starts and ends at Easton Middle School, 201 Peach Blossom Road. Packet pickup is at 8 a.m. A light lunch is provided at the end of your ride. The event takes place rain or shine. Step One. Pick a distance. You have three beautiful, well-supported (SAG) routes to choose from. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or beginning rider there’s an option for you:
Step Two. Start a team to make it more fun. Invite your fellow bike enthusiasts, friends, family, and co-workers to join you or they can choose a different route and everyone will meet at the finish line. Step Three. (Optional) Become a Fundraiser for Positive Strides. Although fundraising is optional, we could use your help to reach our goal of $22,000 for 2022. Once you get started, it’s much easier than you think it’s going to be. Direct your friends, family and colleagues to your race page. Set a goal and see your donations grow. Here’s our gift to you for your fundraising efforts:
One, two, three. Join the Spring Classic Bike Tour and help Positive Strides help some of the most vulnerable people on the Eastern Shore live a more fulfilling life. Virtual Bike Tour If you can’t join us in person, ride with us virtually. Ride on the day of the race or anytime during the month of April. You have the option of logging miles on the registration site or tracking them yourself. We hope you will join us and support Positive Strides virtually. Registration fee: $35. Order a Classic Jersey While registering for the bike tour, you may want to order one of our custom bike jerseys. It’s one more way to support Positive Strides and leave with a fun memory of the day. Spring Classic 2022 Positive Strides’ Spring Classic is a community event that unites people of all ages and fitness levels to have fun and fundraise for men, women and children on the Eastern Shore. From autism and addiction recovery to PTSD and cerebral palsy, equine therapy can play a powerful role in giving a person the confidence and skills they need to live a happier and more independent life. Spring Classic is fun, focused and full of energy! It’s so much more than a bike ride. Follow Positive Strides on Facebook where you’ll find info on this year’s ride and photos from past rides. |
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