TRAVERSE
at Harmony Stables
11810 Bluetick Dr
Odessa, Fl 33556
TRAVERSE
Contact Us
traversekids@gmail.com
Joe (813) 924-0488
Welcome to TRAVERSE Therapeutic Riding
TRAVERSE Programs
TRAVERSE Group Therapy Program
October - May
Mondays & Wednesdays 4:30-6:30pm
This is our main program here at TRAVERSE. It is a combination of group therapy, goal setting, family services, horsemanship & horse back riding for traumatized youth and their families. We follow the school calendar and have various special events during the year, including our Graduation Ceremony at the end to celebrate our children's accomplishments during their time here at TRAVERSE.
Program Referrals for the Group Therapy Program
Referrals may be made by parents, schools, mental health or social agencies.
Eligibility
Students age 8-16 are considered for the program. In order to be accepted into the program, students and their parent(s) or guardian, must have the physical and intellectual capacity to participate fully in an active and challenging program. They must have the ability to function safely in a challenging environment, commit to participate in the entire nine-month program and provide their own transportation to and from the stable two days a week.
Program Timeline
Applications for the program are accepted from June through August. An intake assessment, including a home visit and a family meeting are completed prior to program initiation. The program meets for two afternoons each week in two-hour sessions throughout the school year, and runs from about September to May. The group includes up to four riders, trained adult volunteers, the Clinical Director, Equestrian Instructor and a Family Service Worker.
The typical session begins with the small group processing daily life occurrences and difficulties that were experienced in their home or school, and allows for the review of previously set goals. Group input into plans and activities is encouraged. Once this “group check-in” is finished, each rider will be assigned a volunteer and a planned equestrian activity will be conducted. Following the horse activity, the group will meet again to discuss what they learned, and how it may generalize to their life.
Average Size of Program
4 students in the main riding/group therapy program
4 parents / guardians in the parent group program
Goals/Outcomes
After participating in the TRAVERSE program, children typically exhibit improved self-esteem, improved behavior, have met most of the personal, family, and educational goals that were set at the beginning of the course, and demonstrate Level I equestrian competence, as defined by the Composite Horsemanship Manual of the Association for Horsemanship Safety and Education (CHA).
Wounded Warriors
TRAVERSE is a PATH Accredited Center that can provide services to Wounded Warriors through the PATH/Wounded Warrior Foundation Grant. Referrals are made through the Wounded Warrior office.