Scottsdale equine therapy farm receives $135K grant for ALS patients

Hunkapi Programs, a Scottsdale equine therapy farm, was recently awarded a  $135,384 grant from the Gila River Indian Community Office of Special Funding to provide services to patients with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—ALS.

The grant, which will fund the program for three years, will also cover the cost of a quality of life study that Hunkapi will work on with Mayo Clinic, according to a press release.

“Our main goal through this grant is to offer people diagnosed with ALS the chance to partake in activities that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to with the disease,” said Terra Schaad, executive director of Hunkapi, in a prepared statement.

“By giving them a chance to interact with our animals and even ride the horses, we’re offering them a chance to move in ways their bodies do not let them anymore. We’re so grateful to Gila River Indian Community for allowing us to make this happen.”

Horseback riding activities encourage stretching and strengthening of underused or underdeveloped muscles, while improving posture and coordination, developing gross and fine motor skills, increasing riders' awareness of their bodies, and increases range of motion.

In addition, participants will increase self-esteem and self-confidence, learn problem-solving skills, and increase the ability to focus and stay on task, noted the release.

Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, the release said, pledged to “carefully screen and refer only those who have been recently diagnosed and work closely with the ALS Association Arizona Chapter to monitor progress of all patients participating.”

Additionally, Mayo has produced an evaluation design overlay to systematically collect and analyze data regarding the extent to which quality of life has been enhanced and improved for patients.

“Having worked with Hunkapi over the past two years, we are a proud supporter of the farm’s incredible programs,” said Taryn Norley, president and CEO of the ALS Association Arizona Chapter, in a prepared statement.

“We have built a wonderful collaborative partnership taking people living with ALS horseback riding. We appreciate the expertise and safety that Terra, her staff and volunteers provide for our patients.”

The program is set to begin mid-2021 with 72 patients participating over the three-year span, the release said, adding that the grant will also fund group therapy and other services for survivors of domestic violence.

For more information about Hunkapi Programs, visit Hunkapi.org.