New Client Enrollment

Thank you for your interest in joining Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center. The following enrollment form must be completed and submitted for review prior to having a participant assessment. Once you, your parent or your guardian completes the online enrollment, you will be asked to download a Physician’s Release Form. Please note the medical forms must be completed and signed by the participant's physician, and returned to Giant Steps, before an assessment can be scheduled. The assessment is to determine the participant's individual needs, such as suitability, class type, exercise tolerance, mounting technique, volunteer assistance required, horse and adaptive equipment assignments, availability and goal setting. Participants are then placed in classes based on their individual needs, ability, age, personal goals and availability.

Through carefully designed objectives and lesson plans prepared by our PATH International Certified Instructors, participants work towards their personal goals in a therapeutically beneficial setting. The participant's instructor records measurable outcomes and documents progress notes each week for the individual participants they serve; always working towards the goals agreed upon at the beginning of each session.

Giant Steps Board of Directors, staff and volunteers aggressively pursue revenue to support the program and make it affordable for every participant we serve. Every Giant Steps participant is subsidized through vigorous fundraising efforts. Although participants pay a tuition fee of $65 per lesson, the actual cost to Giant Steps is over twice as much. Scholarships may be considered on a case by case and session by session basis. You can download the Scholarship application in our Resources section or upon submission of your enrollment application.

We look forward to making Giant Steps an integral part of your year. As you complete the forms, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Julie, our Program Director: 707-781-9455 or [email protected].

Please read each of the following requirements and place your initials in the Box indicating you acknowledge and accept these terms.

Participant Tuition Cost

We strive to keep the tuition cost as low as possible through vigorous fundraising efforts throughout the year by our volunteer board of directors, our small staff, and committees. The tuition fee is a fraction of the actual costs of our program, and financial assistance is available to a limited degree for those who qualify.

Payment in full is required at the beginning of each session. The client will not be able to participate unless payment arrangements have been made with the office manager. This will secure your lesson time throughout the session. There are no per lesson rates, fees are charged at a flat tuition rate for each session. (Annual program calendar attached)

Due to the high level of program activity we are not able to offer refunds, make-ups for missed lessons, or carry a balance over from one session to the next.

• The participants need to attend their assigned class on a weekly basis to maximize the therapeutic benefits of the progressively designed classes.
• You can help us provide the maximum time available for lessons by arriving 15 minutes before class and being prepared with helmet on and adjusted, and ready to mount.
• We will make every effort to accommodate every participant, however if you arrive late it is disruptive to the class and may result in the participant not being able to ride.
• Three “no-call, no shows” in a session may result in you being asked to forfeit your spot to someone on the waiting list.
• Please give 24-hour notice of any cancellations by calling 707-781-9455 so that we can schedule our volunteers and horses accordingly.
• In the unusual event that it is unsafe to ride (due to weather, etc.) we may provide, as an alternative to riding, a ground lesson. Ground lessons may include grooming, tacking, leading, and general horsemanship education and other related activities. These lessons provide many therapeutic benefits, new learning experiences, and opportunities for bonding with the horses.

• Dress for comfort and weather conditions.
• All students must wear closed toe shoes for safety. Crocs are not permitted.
• All students must wear approved ASTM-SEI safety helmets while mounted or doing ground work. Helmets are provided, but if desired, riders may purchase their own ASTM-SEI helmet with correct fit.

• Fees are not paid as originally agreed.
• The rider has reached all of his/her goals and is ready to graduate.
• The rider misses three scheduled appointments without prior cancelation.
• The rider’s inability to follow directions is interfering with progress toward goals.
• The rider exceeds weight that can safely be managed by staff, volunteers, and/or horses.
• The rider’s inability to maintain head and neck control while riding presents a safety concern.
• Change in the rider’s medical, physical, cognitive, or emotional condition makes therapeutic riding inappropriate.
• The rider is uncontrolled and/or participates in inappropriate behavior that constitutes a safety risk to him/herself, staff, volunteers, other riders, and/or horse.

• Children may not be unattended.
• Children may not run or play loudly.
• Dogs are not allowed at the Equestrian Center.
• A parent or care-giver is required to remain onsite during the lesson.
• The barn is not open to parents, caregivers or visitors without prior permission.
• Guests and spectators should remain in the designated viewing areas to minimize distractions.

Riding is not an appropriate activity for everybody. The Giant Steps program has occasionally had to decline services to those for whom riding is contraindicated. As a PATH International accredited program, we must follow their guidelines. According to PATH International guidelines, riding is contraindicated if:

1. The safety or comfort of the horse is compromised.
2. The staff is unable to safely manage the client in any situation, including an emergency dismount.
3. The student meets the criteria listed on the below list of precautions/contraindications.

The chart below shows the maximum weight per height that is appropriate for riding. People within the limit will be evaluated by staff to determine if riding is a safe and appropriate activity.

In our commitment to equity and inclusion, we track data on our clients, volunteers, and staff. This data is merely for us to evaluate our progress on our equity and inclusion work.It does not affect your application in any way, and is completely voluntary to complete.

Participant's Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment Form

In the event emergency medical aid/treatment is required due to illness or injury during the process of receiving services, or while being on the property of the agency, I authorize Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc. to:

• Secure and retain medical treatment and transportation, if needed.
• Release records upon request to the authorized individual agency involved in the medical emergency treatment.

At times it is helpful for Giant Steps to gather information about our clients from other providers. Please provide the names and contact information for health care providers and educators who work with you / your child. You may refuse to sign this form. You may cancel it at any time by informing Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center in writing.  If you cancel your permission to allow the release of information about you / your child, it will go into effect immediately (unless someone already released information). You have the right to receive a copy of this Authorization.