Written By Jeffrey Reed
Since 1978, SARI Therapeutic Riding in Arva has enriched the lives of individuals with disabilities through the therapeutic power of horses. Now, with its latest expansion, SARI brings even more horse power to its provision of therapeutic experiences for disabled individuals in our community.
SARI recently opened four new stalls as part of its expansion which adds new herd members to its programming plus 35 new program participants. That means SARI increases its capacity from 350 to 385 participants each year.
“This expansion represents so much more than just physical space,” said SARI Executive Director Lisa Citton-Battel. “It means more opportunities for people with disabilities to experience the joy, connection and confidence that comes from working with horses. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring this project to life.”
The new stalls were built thanks to the generous donation of labour and expertise from Doug Wastell and his team at Wastell Homes, Langford Lumber and with architectural plans donated by Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz.
Additional community support comes with the launch of SARI’s new Kubota RTV, donated by John Williams and the team at Hyde Park Equipment, already playing a key role in maintaining SARI’s grounds and paddocks, and in supporting SARI’s horses’ daily care.
Syd and Jeanne Greenberg founded SARI, a charitable organization created in memory of their daughter Sari, who was born with Down Syndrome and who passed away as a teenager. The organization began with a couple of horses and a few students. Today, SARI has grown into a 13.2-acre facility, serving hundreds of participants annually with the help of 250 weekly volunteers and a herd of 20-plus horses. SARI continues to honour Sari’s legacy by fostering inclusion, independence and personal growth through meaningful equine connections.
“We have an occupational therapist on staff, and we work very closely with physiotherapists and speech language pathologists to cater individual programming to each of our participants,” Citton-Battel explained. She said once a participant has applied to SARI’s programs, they are then assessed and go through an intake process with one of SARI’s therapists who determines the amount of support they will need on the horse, as well as the type and size of horse, and the proper movement of a horse.
A therapy team arrives at specific goals – for example physical goals including improved balance, and cognitive goals including improved simple language skills. Instructors, riders and families are all involved in the process in order to meet those goals at an appropriate rate.
SARI captured the inaugural LondonOntarioSports.com Community Spirit Award this year. The award recognizes Southwestern Ontario individuals or groups who change and better the lives of others through sports, leisure and recreation.
Said Citton-Battel, “SARI is truly honoured to receive the inaugural Community Spirit Award. Our core values of inclusivity, collaboration, dedication and passion drive us to foster a community where everyone feels supported and valued.”
Award-winning writer Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of
LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
