TERRY LATHAM: Gaits to Success needs a savior

In 60 days, one of the Coast's most unique and needed programs will shut down due to a lack of funding.

Gaits to Success has provided free therapeutic horseback riding for disabled and special needs children for 25 years. This accredited program has enabled hundreds of children to experience the joy of escaping from their physical and mental disabilities.

The physical and mental benefits to the children and to their families are life-changing. Children who have been confined to wheelchairs their whole lives are given the opportunity to ride a specially trained horse. The children learn about horses and their care by interacting with the horses. The children "bloom," and their parents witness the transformation. This program uses volunteers and has only one paid staff member.

The $60,000 used each year to operate the program pays for the care of the horses and for the facility in Kiln. It will soon close, and there is nothing like it to take its place.

Like in the storybooks, a knight in shining armor is needed to ride to the rescue. Is there not an organization, business or person who will do so?

TERRY LATHAM

Diamondhead

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 7:06 PM with the headline "TERRY LATHAM: Gaits to Success needs a savior ."