Horses for Healing Charity Auction will help raise funds for nonprofit that helps children with disabilities

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A local nonprofit that helps kids with disabilities and veterans through horses is gearing up for its biggest fundraiser of the year.

Reach Therapeutic Riding Center is hosting its Horses for Healing Charity Auction in November.

The event will help fund over 90% of the nonprofits operating mission year-round.

Shannon Smith is the group’s executive director.

“This event quite literally keeps our riders in the saddle and helps ensure our ability to continue our mission of healing through the use of horses,” Smith said.

Reach Therapeutic Riding Center uses horses for healing by offering physically, mentally or emotionally challenged people equine assisted therapies.

They serve, among others, those with challenges including ADHD, anxiety, muscular dystrophy and Down syndrome.

Another group the organization helps is veterans.

Horses for Warriors is a free program offered for US military veterans and service members.

It is geared to improve the mind, body, and spirit of disabled vets through the uses of horses and the opportunity to socialize with fellow veterans.

“Soldiers with a diagnosis of PTSD, TBI, amputations, burns and neurological impairment may benefit from this service,” the nonprofit says. “Balance, core strength, fine and gross motor skills and speech improve as well as a sense of confidence and accomplishment as the soldier develops a connection with the horse.”

The Horses for Healing Charity Auction will be November 13 at 6:30 p.m. at The Exchange in McGregor.

For more information or to buy a ticket or sponsorship you can log onto Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Individuals with Autism, Disabilities, Veterans | Waco.

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