SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Riding Centers

Rolls-Royce encourages all its employees to participate in community activities as part of its formal Corporate Responsibility initiatives. Each RR location is expected to adopt an environmental or charitable organization to support the local community. The Houston-based Commercial Marine Group selected SIRE Therapeutic Equestrian Centers in August 2007.

From a small office of only 15 employees, seven individuals made the commitment to lead or sidewalk as volunteers for the Fall 2007 semester. Some had little or no knowledge of therapeutic riding, or horses for that matter! Everyone expected the experience to be rewarding, but we had no idea what the real impact would be for us and our organization.

For any company planning to spend thousands on “team building” activities and consultants – we have a more efficient and cost effective solution for you: get your staff involved with SIRE! From just a newly formed group of professionals in Houston, by the end of our first semester, we were a real team. Working together with the horses and clients and instructors at SIRE created a bond between us and a series of shared experiences we brought back to the office.

We have shared the joy of watching our riders get stronger, gain confidence, and it changed our perspective – we collectively know how to distinguish between the trivial and the significant - we know how to discern what is really important. As one staff member recently said, “I’m so very glad to participate, and the smiles on the kids’ faces speak volumes.” This has been a wonderful experience for all of us, and we look forward to future semesters!

Brenda S. Cunningham
Vice President - Finance

On the evening of Saturday May 10th, more than 500 Texas gentlemen and their ladies will crowd the Downtown Hyatt Regency to kick-up their heels for SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, at the 2008 Silver Star Shindig.

This annual black-tie gala celebrates SIRE’s 25th Anniversary of therapeutic horseback riding that benefits children and adults with disabilities.

The 2008 Silver Star Shindig honors: long-time volunteer, Peggy Wagner, with the SIRE Lifetime Humanitarian Award for her significant dedication to client advancement; Baker Concrete Construction, with the Community Investment Award for generous donations to construction projects in the development of the SIRE-Spring arena, and Paige Kinkade of Medcare Pediatric Group in Fort Bend County, with the Medical Award, in recognition of the extraordinary health care services provided to area disabled children.

The generous contributions of time and resources given by these amazing partners enable SIRE to grow and expand their therapeutic riding programs to serve more people with special abilities throughout the Greater Houston Area.

For example, Larke Dampeer was born with a zero Apgar score, which means she had no breathing nor did she have a heartbeat. Therapeutic riding at SIRE has had such a dramatic improvement on her life, that in less than two years, Miss Larke can walk independently, has more fluid movement in her upper body, and feeds herself. All of the physical improvements have allowed Larke to now be able to interact and play with other children her age. The ability to communicate with her SIRE horse, Jessie, is a great boost to her self-confidence and overall has brought Larke a greater level of joy and quality of life.

Another young client, Emily Hughes, has difficulty walking, but can independently ride her horse. Although, it takes great focus for her to quiet her muscle spasms, she can complete a trail course each year at the Top Hands Horse Show at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. While riding on the back of a horse, Emily can leave her limitations on the ground and experience freedom of movement and confidence of self.

Now beautiful young woman, Emily Lund, who has ridden with SIRE for six years, progressed from a very frightened child with three volunteers at her side to a confident, independent equestrienne. Emily will now be leaving SIRE to head off to college on a full scholarship that covers her studies through her Masters degree