ELIZABETH - They were out of hay, and running short on hope. Yet when they asked for help, a team of heroes stepped forward to lend a hand.
The team at Connections Therapeutic Riding Center has a proven track record of helping children with autism gain a better understanding of the world they live in. In fact, it's emphasized the understanding of research stressing the benefits of human and animal interaction as a way of helping children battle through emotional and social difficulties associated with the autism.
When Connections shared its story with 9NEWS and asked for help in mid-October, Colorado Kids 1st President Lisa Van Bramer read about the program's call for a hero, and she knew how to help.
"It was the perfect opportunity to reach out to kids who could benefit from interaction with animals," Van Bramer said. "When you have a program with need specialized therapies like at Connections, it's just the perfect fit for children with autism and the kind of thing Colorado Kids 1st strives to support."
If the Colorado Kids 1st program sounds somewhat familiar, it's probably because you've seen the title on a license plate. Donations through the Colorado Kids 1st program and obtaining a license plate support its mission of keeping kids healthy and safe. Those donations support programs like Connections.
For Connections Director Cathy Stecklein, the call to her from Colorado Kids 1st couldn't have been more of a blessing, and couldn't have come at a better time.
"It has been truly amazing to see the community rally in support behind Connection and to see the outpouring of awareness," said Stecklein. "The fact that people are willing to reach out and partner with us is just amazing."
Through donations that were made to Colorado Kids 1st without a specified charity or program, Connections received a $1,000 check as a way of paying for basic stable needs, such as hay, as well as jumpstarting a sponsorship campaign to ensure the program's longevity in Colorado.
Connections would also like to thank many others who have helped Connections with donations of hay and sponsorship.
You can support Connections Therapeutic Riding Center through Colorado Kids 1st by visiting http://COKids1st.ConnectionsTRC.org.
Also, you can help by participating in the 28 Day GULP Challenge. For more information, visit http://28DayGULP.ConnectionsTRC.org.
To read the story at 9News, please click here.
