New program for handicapped at Saddles of Joy

Saddles of Joy launched the Austin Can Drive program for those who are handicapped.

The program was created to let the community know that even if you are handicapped, Saddles of Joy has a place for you within their therapy services.

Saddles of Joy is able to service those who are handicapped with a cart that is specifically made with tracks for the wheelchair.

“The cart is specifically built specifically for wheelchairs. As you can see, there is a wheel chair in there right now to give people the experience when we’re practicing around here on the ranch,” said Randy Smith, executive director of Saddles of Joy.

The experience is called equine or horse contact and that is where the therapy kicks in.

“Most people who have been around horses understand that they’ve got a very, very calming effect,” said Smith.

Saddles of Joy has only one cart trained horse named Milo. Milo and Austin Heitz, who the program is named after, are the center of this program.

“He’s really good with Milo. Milo I think likes him. I’ll put him up there with Milo and they’ll nudge each other with their heads,” said Rod Heitz, Austin Heitz’s father.

Austin Heitz, 25, who has been attending Saddles of Joy for about 20 years and his dad said that the therapy he receives helps.

“You can see the difference when he rides. He bowes his head and stuff, but when he rides he sits straight up and down and his head’s up. You can see his legs kind of drop. They actually release (themself)” said Heitz.

Randy Smith said the cart was donated by the Colorado River Riders in 2015 and they received Milo as a donation in September 2017.

Smith credited the existence of the cart to Mike Mueller.

“Mike Mueller was very, very instrumental in getting us introduced to this type of cart. This one here is all manual,” said Smith.

“This manually folds down and you push the wheel chair up. And we’re kind of locking down the wheel chair with a tie down strap. To make it just a little more safe,” described Smith.

Saddles of Joy services people of all backgrounds and disabilities.

They hope to service as many people as they can for as long as they have with them.

“Sadly, that’s kind of a fact with some of the kids that come out here. We have them for a very, very shot period of time and then we lose them which is really sad. We do enjoy working with them for every minute we’ve got with them,” said Smith.

If you want to meet Milo, you can go to Saddles of Joy for their Saturday Play Dates. Saddles of Joy will not be open this Saturday as they will be at Cal Ranch for a fundraiser.

Saddles of Joy is also looking for volunteers, you can find more information on their website.