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Lift
Me Up! Heroes
HERITAGE
FARM—-A GIFT OF ROOTS AND WINGS
Lift Me Up! is indebted
to the Dougherty family for their 25+ years of support to
the therapeutic riding community. The beautiful farm which
shelters our horses, provides therapy and recreation to our
riders, and tranquility to a host of families and volunteers
has been in the family since 1869.
Flo and Harry Dougherty worked continually behind the scenes
to maintain a haven for our program. They have opened their
land to our riders, volunteers, horses, cars, equipment, and
festivities. Their commitment and genuine desire to make a
difference in each individual's life has been the cornerstone
of our program. Heritage Farm has provided LIFT ME UP! the
opportunity to become rooted in the Great Falls community
and has provided the nourishment for it to flourish. Above
all, it has allowed hundreds of riders the opportunity to
experience those wings of freedom - through the powerful movement
of a horse.
Lift
Me Up ‘s DIAMOND IN DENIM
FOUNDER—COLLEEN ZANIN
Like so many of us, during college, Colleen
worked at a summer camp. One week of the camp was devoted
to disabled children, and Colleen experienced a realization
then that has had a positive impact on each of us in many
ways: The disabled camper’s responses to riding the
horses were exceptional. Much more than any other activity,
they were amazingly moved by the riding —more vocal,
more interactive.
In the 1987 a team of 18 American physical or occupational
therapists—went to Germany to learn about Hippotherapy.
The Western Europeans had incorporated horses into physical
therapy programs at least 10 years before.
Among those original 18…was
the founder of our own riding therapy program, Colleen Zanin.
It is her vision and persistence and incredible hard work
that is the backbone of Lift Me Up!. She saw the value of
the collaborative learning, healing, and rehabilitative
efforts by the therapist, horse and client. Since inception
of the program, she has devoted countless hours helping,
instructing, encouraging. Her influence is tangible in every
facet of the Program. There are so many who have benefited
from her understated, unassuming determination and purpose.
Hats
off to Colleen!
“…And
could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles
of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous
than your joy.”
– The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran
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