On March 15, the JHTR facility temporarily closed its doors in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Since that time, our staff has been working diligently to produce virtual methods of engagement to keep our participants connected to JHTR, their 4-legged friends, and our incredible instructors during this period of social distancing.
We have constructed the Virtual Engagement Program using the same guiding principles as all JHTR services, including an individualized approach to programming. Therefore, all topics integrate an assortment of activities, each designed to resonate with a unique audience. All materials will be shared directly with participants and their families/caregivers on a bi-weekly basis via email, our website, and social media, at no cost to the participant.
Each offering directly aligns with the fundamental goals of our traditional services, and is crafted by our knowledgeable and skilled team with a focus on the goal, the audience, and the optimal teaching modality.
In school and in life, there is diversity in how we learn. Therefore, we have designed our equine-based curriculum to maximize learning through assorted offerings and approaches. Activities are comprised of multiple methods that involve either reading or educational videos, as well as interactive games that support the learning. We also incorporate physical components, such as guided core-building exercises to enhance posture while in the saddle.
For many, this period of social distancing has had a profound impact on socialization. Isolation can often equate to extreme loneliness and despair. Through videos hosted by familiar faces, as well as interactive platforms with instructors, participants are given the opportunity to connect socially.
Our goal continues to be to empower ability and maximize potential—for now, it just happens to look a little different.
