North Dakota State University equine studies students will be able to saddle up for three new therapeutic courses this fall. The new courses allow students more hands-on experiences in the therapeutic horsemanship field.
The university recently signed a two-year collaborative agreement with Riding on Angels' Wings to obtain a therapeutic horsemanship program at NDSU. The agreement allows the addition of three unique horsemanship courses for students interested in therapeutic equine studies. Plans to create a minor in therapeutic horsemanship at NDSU are under way as well.
"We've had quite a bit of student interest in the program and are hoping to get a tri-college program going" with NDSU, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Concordia College in Moorhead, says Erica Berg, assistant professor of equine studies at NDSU. "There are many avenues that we can take with this program."
About ROAW
Bette Shipley became interested in therapeutic horsemanship after seeing the benefits that horseback riding had on Shipley's son, DJ, who was born with congenital heart defects and cerebral palsy. The Felton, Minn., resident worked to create a program for other children with disabilities. With the help of a few therapists and parents, Shipley started Riding on Angels' Wings started in 2002.
ADVERTISEMENT
The name, "Riding on Angels' Wings," was inspired by the song "Angels Among Us" by Alabama.
ROAW is a Minnesota-based, nonprofit therapeutic riding organization for children with disabilities. The program currently covers Minnesota counties Becker, Norman and Clay and North Dakota counties Grand Forks, Ransom, Barnes, Cass and Traill.
ROAW has specifically trained horses, qualified therapists, well-educated volunteers and certified riding instructors.
The agreement
Berg and Shipley created the agreement between the university and ROAW to fill a niche in the equine studies program. Both women see this new opportunity as a win-win situation that will benefit both NDSU's equine program and students as well as ROAW.
NDSU and ROAW have had a relationship since 2003 through on-campus organizations, such as the Animal Science Department, through which the courses are offered and the Saddle and Sirloin Club, along with equine studies internships.
"We have had undergraduate interns from the NDSU equine studies program since 2003," Shipley says. "We hope to get graduate students through the program in coming years."
Until now, NDSU students have been unable to take courses directly dealing with ROAW or therapeutic horsemanship.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Students can also become certified with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association through the partnership," Shipley says.
The new classes
Although ROAW will not operate directly at the NDSU campus, students will attend lab courses at the ROAW facility, about 12 miles from NDSU. All lecture courses will be taught at the NDSU campus.
Classes include ANSC 210, a three-credit introduction to therapeutic horsemanship lecture course with a service learning component at ROAW; ANSC 310, a three-credit lecture class on the principles of therapeutic horsemanship with a corresponding lab course at ROAW; and ANSC 410, a one-credit lab course on the therapeutic horsemanship teaching practicum at ROAW. Berg will teach all therapeutic horsemanship courses at NDSU.
"The equine assistant programs are growing," Berg says. "Doctors and therapists are recognizing the use of the therapeutic program. It is a growing industry, and there will be plenty of job opportunities in the field."
Information: Erika Berg (701) 231-9611 or erika.berg@ndsu.edu and Bette Shipley execdirectorROAW@aol.com or www.ridingonangelswings.org .
