Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center

Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center Permanently closed A registered 501(c)(3), SVTRC provides Equine Assisted Services to individuals with physical, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities.

Established in 2010, in Newfane, VT by Lorna Young and Nick Merecede, SVTRC has seen many changes in it’s 12 years. We are currently located in Wilmington, VT. We provide both group and private lessons, and partner with local schools and organizations to serve our clients. Therapeutic Riding teaches the foundations and basic skills of horseback riding, while working towards other goals as well. Th

ese goals can be to gain more physical strength, increase flexibility, increase focus and attention span, and more!

03/24/2024

As you know, the program went on hiatus last summer. At that time, the equine staff pursued different opportunities (Duke is home, Carrot has been welcomed to the herd at Riding to the Top, and Bubbles is enjoying island life at Misty Meadows), and SVTRC had to look for a new location. The board continued to meet to discuss options for finding a new home and someone to run the program.

Amber Thibodeau showed unwavering commitment to establishing and maintaining the program’s financial health and to build our reputation in the community, while caring for the horses; coordinating, training, and scheduling volunteers; and teaching lessons that were meaningful and fun for our participants.

SVTRC has always relied on donations in order to remain in operation. Costs have increased, donors are fatigued, and we do not have the resources necessary to recruit the right candidate or to secure the right barn for us. We have been unable to accomplish these essential tasks.

With heavy hearts, we must tell you that SVTRC will not reopen. Please know that we did not arrive at this decision easily. The board believes that we have explored all options, realistic and otherwise.

There is clearly a need for the services and experiences that SVTRC has provided, but critical resources are not available.

We are thankful for all of the people and horses that have been a part of SVTRC since its inception in 2010. There are too many to name here, so we won’t even try. If you are reading this, though, you know that we mean you.

Our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) will be deactivated in the not-so-distant future. If there are pictures that you would like to keep, please be sure to save them. And if you have pictures or memories you’ve not shared before but would like to, please be sure to share them soon.

With much gratitude and just as much sorrow,

The SVTRC Board of Directors

12/03/2023

As SVTRC evolves, volunteers will need to support the program in new and exciting ways. You can serve on the board! Raise funds! Plan events! Connect with our community! Let us know what you're interested in, and we can help match your skill set with the program's needs.

So many opportunities! Watch this space, or reach out to a board member, for ways in which you can help SVTRC as we evol...
08/28/2023

So many opportunities! Watch this space, or reach out to a board member, for ways in which you can help SVTRC as we evolve.

07/07/2023

Statement from the SVTRC Board of Directors:

The SVTRC Board of Directors acknowledges with sadness that our Executive Director, Amber Thibodeau, will be leaving at the end of July, having accepted a position as 4H Educator at UVM Extension. While we hate to lose her, we recognize that this is an exciting growth opportunity for Amber, and we wish her every success.

Amber joined SVTRC in August 2015, hired to be the administrator. When Lorna Young, then the Program Director, unexpectedly retired a short time later, Amber was thrust into the position of “wearing all the hats”, which she did seamlessly. When SVTRC needed to find a new home in 2016, Amber successfully facilitated that transition to Brookside Stables, while continuing to juggle all the other aspects of her job: equine staff management and all that entails; office manager; finding, training, and scheduling volunteers; outreach to community partners; communicating with the families and organizations that send participants to the program; collaborating with the Board; preparing reports; fundraising, and so much more.

During the Covid19 pandemic mandatory shutdown, Amber stayed connected to participants and families, cared for the horse staff, and spent many hours, along with SVTRC’s Treasurer, navigating the financial aids available to keep SVTRC afloat.

The Board regrets that we were not able to support Amber more in these roles and tasks.

All of the members of the Board will be forever grateful to Amber for bringing her energy and expertise to the many aspects of her job, and building a program that truly has become THE premier program in Southern Vermont for Equine Assisted Services.

SVTRC will need to depart the current location at the end of July. In the absence of an instructor, and an immediately available home for the program, SVTRC will need to take a hiatus while the Board members explore the options for SVTRC’s future. The Board values SVTRC’s participants, their families, and our many community friends and partners. We will keep everyone informed of our decisions via communication on our page.

This letter was shared with current and active participants and volunteers last week. Now that they are aware, it is tim...
07/05/2023

This letter was shared with current and active participants and volunteers last week. Now that they are aware, it is time to let our greater community know. I'm sure more information will be shared in the coming days and weeks, but for now, just a lot of gratitude and love to everyone who has made SVTRC what it is over these last 13 years.

Dear Beloved SVTRC Participants, Families, & Volunteers,

It is with incredibly mixed emotions that I share with you that I am stepping away from SVTRC. To say working for this organization and with you all has been an honor would be an understatement. I have truly loved every joyful, challenging, and even stressful moment with all of you, and it is and will be incredibly hard to turn the page on this chapter of my life. The time has come for me to move on and accept a new and exciting role with UVM Extension as a 4H Educator.
I’m sure you have questions, some I hope to have answers to, but many I won’t have answers to, at least for now. What I and the Board of Directors do know is that lessons will continue through July 14th. After that we will work to wrap up administrative tasks and move SVTRC’s belongings offsite. My last day is July 28th and after that SVTRC will go on hiatus. It is my sincerest wish that SVTRC will reopen with new staff in a new location, but all of that is undecided at this point. Duke will return to his amazing owner Diane, who is excited to welcome him home. We are looking for quality and caring lease homes for Carrot and Bubbles.
My decision was not easy, and instead was incredibly agonizing, as I know the crucial role this organization plays in the lives of so many in this community; and similarly, you all have played a crucial role in my life, as I would not be the person I am today without each and every one of you. I am so grateful for these last 8 years with SVTRC. When I moved to Vermont in 2015, I had no idea what direction I was headed, but SVTRC gave me purpose and a community I truly love.
Thank you everyone for your time, effort, determination, skills, smiles, and more. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you might have, I will answer them to the best of my ability. I realize this is hard and sad for us all, and I thank you for your patience as we all navigate this change.
I truly hope to stay in touch with you all. I look forward to seeing you all in the coming weeks as we wrap up lessons. My best wishes to everyone, and to SVTRC.

With Gratitude,
Amber

Don’t forget, when you buy one of Shaws Give Back Where it Counts reusable bags this month, we benefit! This is at the W...
06/19/2023

Don’t forget, when you buy one of Shaws Give Back Where it Counts reusable bags this month, we benefit! This is at the Wilmington, VT Shaws only, and only for the month of June. Next time you’re in Shaws, get your bag and support SVTRC!

Happy 2️⃣3️⃣rd birthday to our sweetest Duke! This guy has been taking care of EAS participants for nearly a decade and ...
06/06/2023

Happy 2️⃣3️⃣rd birthday to our sweetest Duke! This guy has been taking care of EAS participants for nearly a decade and loves his job! Wish Duke ‘Happy Birthday’ or share your favorite pic of him!

Surprise! We've been selected by our local Shaw's for their Give Back Where it Counts Reusable Bag Program for the month...
06/01/2023

Surprise! We've been selected by our local Shaw's for their Give Back Where it Counts Reusable Bag Program for the month of June! All month, if you buy one of their Give Back Where it Counts reusable bag's, we get $1! This is at the Wilmington, VT Shaws only, and only for the month of June. Run, don't walk to get your bag and support SVTRC!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our inaugural Derby Party! Huge thank you to The Hermitage Club at Haystack Moun...
05/08/2023

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our inaugural Derby Party! Huge thank you to The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain for hosting us! We are looking forward to next year already, and know many of our guests are as well! Lots of fun, fantastic food, and a great race!

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Wilmington, VT

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

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