Turning Pointe's mission is to provide the disabled with rehabilitative therapy for the body through the dynamic movement of the horse and for the mind through the remarkable bond between humans and horses within an integrated, community environment.

      
Turning Pointe Program Objectives:

• Provide horse assisted rehabilitative therapies to the disabled
• Contribute to credible, scientific research for equine-assisted activities
• Create an integrated mainstreaming environment and a community resource for education, awareness, and special events
• Provide activities in an open space landscape

How are we accomplishing these objectives?

• Provide a comprehensive therapeutic program of equine-assisted activities that include hippotherapy and therapeutic riding for people of all ages who have a disability and can benefit from our therapeutic program.
• Provide community center where traditional riding lessons and horse shows and boarding create an integrated environment, a source of learning and good citizenship for all.
• Partnering with the University of Rhode Island to conduct research aimed at evaluating and targeting equine-assisted activities to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
• We host community horse shows, driving trials, hunter paces and other fundraisers such as, A Kentucky Derby party and a Country Faire. These events raise money to support the therapeutic program and opens our doors to the community to provide opportunity for access to open spaces and educational opportunities.
• Creation of an equine vocational program that provides an alternative educational program for high school students that do not thrive in a traditional high school setting. They learn farm management skills, applying academic lessons in a fun and engaging program.

More About Turning Pointe

Turning Pointe is a charitable organization with a non-profit status. We are also the only North American (NARHA) for the Handicapped Association Premier Accredited facility in Rhode Island. Our therapeutic staff has all gone through the rigorous training and evaluation prepared by NARHA. All are certified by NARHA and/or the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA).

Volunteers are priceless to Turning Pointe and keep our program running. They not only provide assistance to our riders, but participate in labors of horse maintenance, grooming, tacking and untacking, sidewalking, leading, various barn chores and office tasks. We encourage anyone interested in volunteering to contact us via e-mail at Turningpointeri@aol.com .

A strong part of horse-assisted activity is the bond that is formed between horse and rider, the volunteers, instructors and therapists. This relationship helps people with disabilities experience mobility, friendships and improved self-esteem. We encourage you to join us at our beautiful 140 acre facility and experience the remarkable bond between humans and our very special therapy horses. 

Meet The Staff
Barn Manager:   Nikie King
Program Manager: Amanda Swazick
Volunteer Coordinator: Kelly Brennan 
Instructors: 
Betina Gunther  Instructor/Trainer                                                
Violet Forbes
Colleen Bell
Kelly Brennan