We here at Crippen are looking to make 2017 a record year for giving back to our communities. We will be holding monthly intraoffice fundraisers to benefit 12 different charities this year through our new Crippen Cares™ initiative. Our nonprofit spotlight is on this month’s fundraiser recipient, Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA).MTRA provides therapeutic horseback riding (or Equine Assisted Therapy) sessions at a very minimal cost, and on a sliding scale for those who cannot afford their very reasonable fees. The program income provides only 10-15% of the funding needed annually to keep their services in place and to cover the very high costs of feeding and maintaining horses, maintaining the PATH Premiere certified facility, and their overhead costs such as insurance, staff, and certified PATH instructors. Therefore, they rely heavily on the generosity of the community to maintain their programming.
In addition to the expense of the services provided at their Cross Florida Greenway location, for over 30 years MTRA has maintained the equine therapy program at the Hillcrest School for exceptional children, without charging the students and with no funding assistance from the school district.
Located in the heart of the Horse Capital of the World, MTRA strives to put the spotlight on these wonderful animals who keep our thriving community together.
To find out more about MTRA, follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MTRAocala/ or visit their website at https://mtraocala.org/.