Nov 01, 2022 – Amy Burrell-Cormier, Volunteer Manager – After having such an amazing First Quarter and starting the Second Quarter with a bang. It was not time to focus on a group serving our community. It took no time to figure out that the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center would be the best way to have both an indoor and outdoor experience without leaving our Perkins Restaurant meeting place. Our Rotarians and guests were in for a treat while learning about how others are serving our community. The Rotarians were in for treat because Amy Burrell-Cormier not only came prepared with knowledge about horses, but usage of horses in also helping Veterans heal as well as children and adult use in yoga training. As if that was not enough, Amy and her assistant had a miniature for our treat. In keeping with having an International experience at our weekly meeting, we soon found out that lived in Brazil and she shared her life in Brazil with her husband.
The center is known as Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, located at 170 Ridge Drive, Naples, Florida. Amy quickly educated the Rotarian that “the center
today has grown exponentially and have nearly 10 acres with 11 buildings that support 8 unique programs, 14 therapy horses, 17 staff members and
an army of nearly 400 volunteers – all dedicated to providing the highest level of therapeutic riding to children and adults with physical, social and mental
health concerns. With the support of the community, federal funding by way of the Urban Housing, private donors, inexpensive classes, and support of service organizations such as the Rotary Clubs in Naples; Amy hopes the NTRC will continue to grow with reaching the goal of becoming a nationally recognized therapeutic riding center with no waiting list. In addition, inviting the NTRC to speak at your meetings, or going out to visit while in the local community, one can send donations and seek more information at:
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center
206 Ridge Drive, Naples FL 34108
NaplesTherapeuticRidingCenter.org
info@ntrc.org (239) 596-2988
Partially financed by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Collier County Community and Human Services Department. Is a fact that the new director and Amy stresses with much pride because it is total involvement to make the NTRC such a great success for the Southwest Florida area.
The presentation ended with so many exciting answers about Brazil as well as how to become involved with the center. The RCNB was able to get just another International viewpoint. Everyone had an opportunity to go outside and see the miniature pony and actually touch which was even more fun.
Service Above Self,
Joseph Cofield
President
Rotary Club of Naples Bay
Martin de St. Pierre
Executive Director Letter As a Naples resident for over forty years, I recall driving past the red barn off Goodlette Road countless times. Over the last 25 years, I watched as the Naples Equestrian Challenge grew from a few loaned horses and some volunteers into what we are today.
Now known as Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, today we have grown exponentially and have nearly 10 acres with 11 buildings that support 8 unique programs, 14 therapy horses, 17 staff members and an army of nearly 400 volunteers – all dedicated to providing the highest level of therapeutic riding to children and adults with physical, social and mental health concerns. With the acquisition of the property at 170 Ridge Drive, NTRC has the opportunity to continue to grow with our goal of becoming a nationally recognized therapeutic riding center with no waiting list.
In August, I had the privilege of joining NTRC as your new Executive Director, and everything I thought I knew about this place was quickly validated. NTRC is a place of dedication, compassion, love and yes, a little magic. I believe my 30 years of local wealth management, business development, non-profit leadership and fundraising combined with your generous support, will help NTRC achieve our goals to expand to meet the demand for equine healing.
Along with our new Program Director, Lilian Mendez, I am anxious to continue to meet all of our wonderful rider families, volunteers and donors who are rejoining us for a new season of giving and riding. We have already made some significant programmatic changes that eliminated the current waiting list and accommodated more than 60 new riders – some who had been waiting for well over a year.
There are many people (and horses) to thank for their support over the last 25 years – especially those who helped secure our horses and property during Hurricane Ian. I am so impressed by the steadfast support of so many whose donations have spanned NTRC’s rich history of equine healing – some who you will hear about in this newsletter.
As we turn our focus to the future, I am looking forward to making our Barn Dance Appeal a huge success and being part of a team that will make the next 25 years even more amazing!
