WELCOME to the website for Blue Heaven Therapeutic Riding Academy.  Blue Heaven is a 501(c)(3) community based charitable organization located in the foothills of the western Cascades near Eagle Creek and Estacada, Oregon.   Blue Heavens mission is to provide safe, high-quality therapeutic horseback riding experiences designed to strengthen the minds and bodies of our clients with physical or emotional disabilities. 

 

HORSES AS A TOOL FOR THERAPY

Therapeutic Horseback Riding has been used to treat a wide variety of disabilities including multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, scoliosis, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.  The muscle spasticity and paralysis experience by many physically disabled patients make walking difficult, if not impossible.  Exercise equipment, which traditionally works a single muscle group at a time, cannot produce body movements in a sustained and rhythmic manner.  In therapeutic riding the horse naturally and rhythmically moves the client’s  body in a manner similar to the human gait!  The movements of the horse can be continuously repeated for a prolonged period of time.  Many riders are able to experience the natural movement of the walking gait for the first time while on a horse.  Physical benefits of therapeutic riding programs which have been consistently described by disabled riders and their families, doctors, and therapists include increased range of motion and muscle tone; improved gross and fine motor skills, balance, posture and coordination, trunk stability, and increased concentration, spatial awareness, self-awareness, and self discipline.

Learn more about the benefits of therapeutic riding by going to our Therapeutic Riding webpage, and by reading the testimonials.  

 

THE HEALING POWER OF THE HORSE...
 Carrie Perry, the founder of Blue Heaven, knows first hand the healing powers that only a horse can provide.   In 1991 Carrie suffered a Basler Artery Occlusion stroke which left her unable to walk talk or see.   Carrie suffered through years of depression, over sleeping, poor balance and extremely poor vision. Carrie’s rehabilitation took a turn for the better after her husband Tim bought her a horse.  Through interaction and riding her horse, Carrie noticed that she gained upper body strength, was not as depressed or sleeping as much.  Soon after realizing the horse as a tool of therapy, Carrie sought to help heal others using horses in the same manner she was helped.  Carrie then became a certified instructor with NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association), and built an outdoor arena with the help of her son, Wesley.    On August 7th, 2000 Blue Heaven offered its very first riding session. 

In the ensuing years, Blue Heaven has been blessed with substantial grants from Meyer Memorial and The Dant Family Fund.  These two grants allowed Blue Heaven to build an Indoor Arena-keeping all classes on site. Furthermore, it allowed Blue Heaven to stretch it’s involvement in the community by offering an EAP (Equine Assisted Psychology) program directed towards at risk youth.  Carrie currently holds an EAGALA (Equine Growth and Learning Association) level 4 certification.

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT BLUE HEAVEN
Blue Heaven is entirely reliant on dedicated volunteers, and donations, and grants to stay in operation! There are many ways to support Blue Heaven.
1)   Donate your greatest resource, TIME.  Many opportunities are available; no horse experience is required.   Check out our Volunteer page for opportunities. 

2) Support Blue Heaven financially.  Donations, regardless of amount, are needed to keep Blue Heaven in operation.   Donations can be made through PayPal, or can be mailed to Blue Heaven PO BOX 312 Eagle Creek Oregon 97022.

3) Support our GOLF TOURNAMENT.  Corporate Sponsors and golfers are needed to support Blue Heavens fundraising event of the year.   See our golf page for more information.

4) Albertsons Shoppers… you can support Blue Heaven by requesting a Community Partners Card to be used in addition to your Albertsons Card.  This costs you nothing but allows Blue Heaven to receive a small percentage of your purchase!  E mail Carrie to request your Community Partners Card. Request your Albertsons Community Partners Card here.

5) Use GOOD SEARCH as your search engine.

Thank you for checking out our web site.  Be sure to check out other pages featuring news interviews, photo galleries, and more.  If we can be of further assistance call Carrie at 503 630 2250 or e-mail Carrie here.