HOLYOKE – The president of the Therapeutic Equestrian Center (TEC) said that in the organization’s 35th year “many exciting things are happening.”

Erin Bissonnette noted that on Sept. 21 there would be a horse show at the facility at 537 Northampton St. (Route 5), where it is situated on the grounds of Jericho. The show features the riders performing from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to the public.

“We would like the community to come and see what we’re all about,” Bissonnette said to Reminder Publishing.

Bissonnette was elected president on January replacing the long-serving Sue Ellen Panitch who she said remains a “guiding force for us.”

As president, her first priority is to increase the reach of the program.

The program was established as a separate non-profit in 1982. It came about in 1972 when Father Robert Wagner, who had founded Jericho to address needs of the disabled, came across a young woman riding a horse on the Jericho grounds, the former Shaeffer estate.

As the TEC website notes, “Father Wagner and the girl, Geraldine O’Connor, agreed that she could continue to ride if she would be kind enough to give ‘pony rides’ to the disabled children who used the facility as a religious resource. Gerry enthusiastically agreed to the proposition and over the next months, it became apparent that the children loved the horse and looked forward to riding on Sunday after Mass. Having heard of therapeutic riding and seeing first hand how much the rides and the horse meant to the children, Father Wagner researched therapeutic riding, learned about the Kellogg Foundation’s Cheff Center in Michigan, which trains instructors and program directors in this specialized form of therapy, and sent Gerry there for professional training.”

A program was developed and 10 years later TEC was established as a separate non-profit.

TEC has expanded it programs and now has one for veterans.

Bissonnette said that some ride for therapy of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, while others volunteer their time there. “It’s not just for young people anymore,” she said.

Bissonnette said there are 100 riders in the program annually and the cost is $245 per session and some of that is underwritten by grants. Classes are small, she added. Right now the program is “pretty close to capacity,” she noted.

She added, “We’re excited.”

She explained that originally the program was aimed at children with physical disabilities, but now many of the riders are dealing with emotional issues.

Other upcoming events include the organization’s annual Harvest Dinner fundraiser on Oct. 17 at the Summit View and the “party with a Purpose” in conjunction with the Williston Library at Mill 180 in Easthampton on Nov. 16.

Bissonnette is a longtime equestrian herself, but has had to stop due to a serious knee injury. “I miss it very much,” she said, but added her involvement with TEC was “perfect timing to come back.”

For more information go to https://equestriantherapy.org.