About Us
Our Mission
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Road To Independence is a non-profit, non-riding equine program for individuals with differing abilities. The goal of our program is, together with our donkey herd, to offer meaningful experiences for our participants while providing valuable life skills that can enhance other aspects of their lives.
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Our Vision
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It is the vision of Road To Independence to provide enriching experiences and opportunities to individuals with differing abilities to form and develop meaningful relationships with the community. We Dare to Dream of a road to independence for all!
Road To Independence programs include non-riding equine learning on our farm, participation in our On the Road program visiting area care centers, our Reading to the Donkeys visit and other community interactions.
Participants in these programs, learn better communication skills, teamwork, increased fine and gross motor skills resulting in improved behavior, respect for other individuals, increase in self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth and the potential for increased involvement within their communities.
RTI measures the program’s success by the way participants demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the program as well as with their peers, families and community.
We have seen timid individuals proudly demonstrate their donkey handling skills to the public. When we travel to area Care Centers, we witness the joy participants experience as he or she shifts to be the Handler and teaches a resident how to brush the donkey and discusses the individual animal.
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"The severity of one's disabilities does not determine their level of potential.
The greatest barriers that persons with disabilities have to overcome are not steps or curbs, it's expectations"
-Karen Clay
