Press Release
June 22, 2020
OCEANSIDE – To express their gratitude to local professionals who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response, Ivey Ranch Park Association hosted a free “Horse Happy Hour” event for first responders and healthcare workers on June 5. Attendance was beyond planned capacity and the event was such a success that IRPA has announced additional events on July 3 and August 7.
“People who may be facing particularly stressful jobs at this time can find solace and peace through interaction with horses,” said Tonya Danielly, Executive Director of Ivey Ranch Park Association. “Horses truly do have a unique ability to understand our emotional state, and we’re happy to share some of their calming influence with the people who have been doing such important jobs in our community this year.”
Across the world, Equine or Horse Therapy has increased greatly in popularity in recent years, and has become integrated into treatment programs for a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and physical conditions. Horses are non-judgmental and have been found to mirror the behaviors and attitudes of people, and there are measurable benefits to interacting with them under the supervision of certified staff members. Ivey Ranch Park Association is accredited by both PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) and CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association).
First responders and healthcare workers are encouraged to bring their family members. The events include a tour of the Ivey Ranch barns, time for personal interaction with the horses, and a free barbecue meal. Participants must sign up for a specific time slot by calling Ivey Ranch at (760) 722-4839, emailing iveyranch@yahoo.com, or signing up directly at this site: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4fadae29a2fb6-horse1
About Ivey Ranch Park Association
Ivey Ranch Park Association (iveyranch.com) is a non-profit organization in North San Diego County that provides recreational and educational programs for individuals of all ages with and without special needs. We are known for our Equestrian Center, which provides therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning, and vaulting, but IRPA also provides daycare, in-home respite care, and even community gardening. Programs serve children with and without special needs, low-income families, at-risk youth, and veterans/wounded warriors. Serving more than 200 individuals a month, our goals are community integration and participation, personal choice, self-respect, respect for others, competence and self-reliance. Currently, more than two-thirds of our clients have moderate to severe disabilities which include behavioral disorders, genetic disorders, and disabilities caused by accident or trauma. Since 1983 Ivey Ranch has served children and adults with disabilities alongside the able-bodied, and integration, inclusion and interaction are at the heart of our program. Ivey Ranch is located within a City of Oceanside Historic Preservation Area and the Ivey Ranch House was built in 1889. For more information please visit
iveyranch.com.
Media Contact:
Joe Kerwin
joe@iveyranch.com
760-521-6769