 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
|||
 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
2-9-2006 |
|
|
The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) will hold its annual regional conference at Pipestem State Park March 10-12, 2006. "The equine industry is a growing and underappreciated segment of the agricultural economy in West Virginia . Horses fill a variety of niches, and I think the industry is only going to expand further," said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. "The WVDA has requested funding from the Legislature to create an equine specialist position at the Department to help maximize development of the industry." NARHA promotes equine facilitated therapy and activities to children and adults with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. The conference will also include a variety of sessions on topics such as starting a therapeutic riding center, caring for working horse owners and managing non-profit organizations. "Therapeutic activities are designed to help people be independent by giving them confidence and self-fulfillment through riding and groundwork," said Connie Boggess, co-chair of the Pipestem conference and Executive Director of River Cities Therapeutic Riding Center in Milton. Boggess - an occupational therapist satisfying a lifelong love of horses - says there is tremendous potential in West Virginia for therapeutic riding programs. "Folks drive to Milton from as far away as Parsons. I've also got riders from Sod, Crum - you drive through those areas and you see lots of barns, but no programs," she said. Highlights will include: • Feeding needs of working horses. For more information about the conference, contact Boggess at 304-743-5267 or e-mail csgilkeson@aol.com . For registration information or a conference brochure, visit http://narha.org/Regions/region3.asp. To reserve a room call Pipestem at 1-800-CALL-WVA. For general information, visit www.narha.org or www.rctrc.org.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
|
|
|
|
©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
|
|
Contact the Webmaster
|
|
|
|