On July 24, 2018, Sheila Greaver who is the VP of Development & Communications for the Panther Creek Inspiration Ranch (PCIR) spoke to the Magnolia Rotary Club about PCIR. Pictured above from left to right are Sheila Greaver and Magnolia Club President Chase Hogan.
After being introduced, Sheila Greaver told the Magnolia Rotary Club that the PCIR is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to helping special needs youth via equine therapeutic riding. PCIR engages community partnerships and serves local Montgomery County families. Their mission is to partner horses with people to transform lives and help them reach their highest ability. Their vision is to provide a Christ-centered oasis for children and adults with special challenges seeking excellence in equine activities & therapies while we inspire similar ministries to grow the arena of hope.
As of today, PCIR handles about 70 youth riders each week. The youth's disabilities span over 30 different diagnosis. In addition to the 70 youth enrolled in their program, there is a waiting list of more than 40 children currently waiting to participate in their program. PCIR handles over 3,000 Therapeutic Riding Lessons per year and uses around 118 volunteers each week. They also have over 30 H.E.A.R.T. (Housing, Entrepreneurship And Readiness Training ) Program Participants each week.
Sheila explained that their horses promote cognitive development, create physical strengthening, and improve muscle memory for those in the program. Sheila told everyone how Jax (grandson of a prominent Woodlands businessman) who was non-verbal when he entered the program said the word "Mom" recently. She also spoke of how another youth named Sophia learned how to share and a third youth named Charlotte has learned to walk. All of these miracles occurred through their Therapeutic Horse Riding. The common thread in each case are the highly skilled & trained horses.
Sheila then explained that their current location has been flooded out 3 times in the last 10 years so they have sold the site but are currently leasing it back from the new owner while they search for a new home. They are looking for a minimum of 30 acres but would prefer somewhere between 60 and 100 acres that is not in a flood plane.
Sheila then pointed out the groups core programs as 1) Equine Therapeutic Riding, 2) Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), and 3) Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Examples of Equine Therapeutic Riding are listed above,. Equine Assisted Learning works with 1) Montgomery County Youth Services (MCYS), 2) Redeemed Ministries (survivors of sex trafficking) and 3) Angel Reach (aged out of foster care). Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (a new program started in April 2018) works with an Individual counseling with an EGALA and licensed professional counselor and an equine professional.
Sheila then pointed out some sobering statistics about Montgomery County:
1. Mental Health Provider Shortage:
- Montgomery County has 1,366 patients to one care provider.
- Texas has 990 patients to one care provider.
- The top 10% of U.S. counties have 370 patients to one care provider.
2. Deaths by Suicide (per 100,000)
- Montgomery County has 14.4
- Texas has 11.2
- The United States has 11.6
Sheila then spoke about the costs associated with their program and why they need our support:
- It costs $198 per rider per ride.
- They charge $50 per ride to enrolled families.
- 32% of their families can not afford any payment but they are not turned away for their inability to pay.
Gifts of Time, Talent, or Treasure are accepted and are critical to those they serve.
Sheila then showed some short video clips of Charlotte walking and stated that they look forward to partnering with the Magnolia Rotary Club.
For more information about PCIR, go to www.PCIRanch.org
