Camels for Hippos benefits equine therapy program
Camel rides, pictures with the camels, alpacas from La Dolce Vita alpacas, other farm animals, a bouncy house from Seidl’s Party Supplies and Rentals, face painting, barbecue from John Little Catering, and a silent auction and drawing are included in the fundraiser. Admission is free.
Many businesses and individuals are lending their support as sponsors: Title Event Sponsors are Oasis Camel Dairy and Mountain Valley Ranch; Diamond Sponsors are The Toby Wells Foundation and Blue Apple Ranch; Platinum Sponsors—Moms Making Six Figures, JH Marketing, Ramona Disposal Service, Ranger Doug’s Shootists’ Emporium, Marketing Worx, Ramona Martial Arts, and La Dolce Vita Alpacas; Gold Sponsors—Shelly Heimer/WJ Bradley Mortgage, Sun Valley Florist, San Vicente Saddle Club, Jewelry World, and Sludgebusters; Silver Sponsors—Amber Ramirez/Farmers Insurance and Seidl’s Party Rentals.
Silent auction highlights include one year’s curbside garbage service from Ramona Disposal, six months training and uniform from Ramona Martial Arts, a handgun from Ranger Doug’s Shootists’ Emporium, blown glass art from Ann Mitchell, salon service package from Ashlie Lewis at Vintage Hair Studio, a U.S. flag from the Office of Congressman Duncan Hunter, two-night stay in a one-bedroom villa at the Riviera Oaks Resort, two passes to San Diego Zoo or Safari Park from San Diego Zoo Global, camel’s milk soap and camel’s milk chocolate gift basket from Oasis Camel Dairy, basket of alpaca wool skeins from La Dolce Vita Alpacas, photography package from Andria Pearce Photography, in-home massages from Michelle Carr, family four-pack of tickets to the Poway Rodeo, gift certificate to Da Tuna Shack, gift certificate to The Fish House Restaurants, a cameo horse head pendant from Jewelry World, Beanie Baby baskets from Teri Halverson, services from Adobe Animal Hospital, a $350 certificate for services at Main St. Auto, gift baskets from Elston Hay and Grain, two certificates for a comprehensive chiropractic examination and one-hour massage from Michael C. O’Dell, D.C., and passes to area museums and parks.
San Diego Hippotherapy, a PATH Int’l (previously NARHA) center in Ramona, has provided equine-assisted services since 2001 and received its Premier Accredited Center Status this January, making it the only PATH center in the county with this distinction.
The nonprofit program specializes in hippotherapy (from the Greek “hippos” for horse), or the use of the horse’s movement in therapy by occupational, physical, or speech therapists. In hippotherapy, specific riding skills are not taught as they are in therapeutic riding. Rather, the therapist uses the horse’s movement, which is similar to human movement, to normalize muscle tone and to improve balance, coordination, sensory processing, strength, and independence in daily activities.
San Diego Hippotherapy also offers “Freedom Reins” program for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and therapeutic riding lessons.
Mountain Valley Ranch is at 842 Highway 78. For more information, check www.sandiegohippotherapy.org, call 760-440-0286 or email sandiegohippotherapy@cox.net.