GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center resumes operations
Milford. Executive Director Martha Dubensky expressed her appreciation for the community’s support during the crisis, which made possible “consistent, excellent care for our horses.”
Milford /
| 15 Jul 2020 | 02:39
GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center, 314 Foster Hill Road, Milford (Lenore Rogan)
With all counties in Pennsylvania in the green (least restrictive) phase of COVID-19 pandemic reopening, GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center, a Milford nonprofit offering equine-assisted activities and therapies for people with special needs, has resumed operations under a newly developed comprehensive re-entry plan.
On March 16, in response to the pandemic, GAIT temporarily suspended all lessons, workshops, and activities available to the public. During the suspension, GAIT continued caring for its herd of specially trained horses and working behind the scenes to develop a detailed re-entry plan that emphasizes enhanced safety protocols and workforce initiatives.
Shortly before June 19, when Pike County moved into the green phase of reopening, GAIT began implementing the re-entry plan, starting with extensive training for staff and volunteers to learn how to safely interact with program participants under pandemic conditions. GAIT has since begun welcoming back individuals for lessons and hopes to resume group activities, including a popular horsemanship club, later this summer.
Greater Pike Community Foundation awarded GAIT a $3,000 grant from its Richard L. Snyder Fund to support the implementation of the re-entry plan. Dozens of individual donors also pitched in with contributions that helped keep GAIT afloat while it was not generating income.
Executive Director Martha Dubensky expressed her appreciation for the community’s support. “The grant from Greater Pike Community Foundation came at a critical time,” she said. “Changing direction in the middle of a crisis is never easy, but the foundation’s support helped make it possible. At the same time, in spite of their own economic uncertainty, our generous donors made sure that we could continue providing consistent, excellent care for our horses.”
For program specifics or any questions about the re-entry plan, call 570-409-1140 or email info@gaittrc.org. For general information about GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center, visit gaittrc.org. GAIT is located at 314 Foster Hill Road, Milford, PA 18337.