Getting Personal

Terri Orsi-Weishaar

Founder/Executive Director

Terri was in a traumatic car accident at a young age which forced her to lose mobility. After being confined to a wheel chair for many years she decided to start HOLD YOUR HORSES Inc., allowing for many disabled people in our community to become involved in a program they never thought possible. Thank You Terri for opening the doors of well-being!

Message from Founder:

"As a disabled person I can relate to individuals with various disabilities. Most individuals never thought they would ever ride a horse, to help them get better physically, emotionally and mentally. What fun and pleasure they would have from being able to participate in this activity. Horseback riding helps to build up your confidence, self esteem, balance, mobility and movement. It is easier to get from point A to point B without having to use aids or be exhausted by the time you get there. The horses are a vehicle for accomplishing these goals. Therapeutic riding is very rewarding. I have seen and 80 year old woman get relief from back pain and a child roll in in a wheel chair and walk out, with an aid, after a few sessions. Two women with Multiple Sclerosis improve their mobility and balance by riding. I have seen so many individuals making great improvments including myself. HOLD YOUR HORSES makes me feel like 'Yes, HYH is really helping people with handicapps enjoy their life more.'"

NOTE: In 1998 Terri Orsi-Weishaar, founder of HOLD YOUR HORSES Inc., received the JC PENNY GOLD RULE AWARD for and individual in recognition for her volunteer efforts in support of HYH. Terri and HYH were also recognized by Congressman GARY CONDIT, Representative GEORGE HOUSE and the Mayors of MODESTO and OAKDALE and of course the JC PENNY SINGLE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD.

Olympia Francis

Registered NARHA Instructor

Trainer/Barn manager

Olympia came to us after much searching for a worth while cause to volunteer her services to. Being that she is also handicapped she felt that HOLD YOUR HORSES would most profit from her experience. She is a graduate of FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE where she earned an ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN PACK STATION AND STABLE OPERATIONS, and an ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE IN LIBERAL STUDIES and Minored in SPECIALIZED HORSE ENTERPRISES.

Olympia really enjoys what she is doing with HOLD YOUR HORSES. She gives lessons twice a week as well as prepares new horses for intergrating with the handicapped accesable equipment. She also manages the barn by ordering feed, providing veterinarian assitance and insures that all equipment and tack is in SAFE repair.

"If you could see the smiles on the faces of our clients you would know exactly why I commit myself to such a worthy cause." -Olympia S. Francis

Jan

Aspiring Instructor

Combining my years of experience with horses and animal therapy for the physically, mentally and emotionally disabled made it natural for me to join the team at HOLD YOUR HORSES.

Using horses for therapy accomplishes great improvements that no other form of therapy can achieve. Horse therapy addresses the "entire" client and leaves a smile on their faces that is worth every effort we put in the program.

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