Chum Therapeutic Riding
About Us
Children and Horses United in Movement or C.H.U.M. Therapeutic Riding Inc. brings to the Mid-Michigan area both the old and the new. A new program with old friends. Our name was designed to honor a faithful equine friend who has been in service to therapeutic riding since 1980. Chum, Bonnie DePue’s friend and companion for nearly 30 years, has introduced many a child and adult to the world of horses and the gifts these magnificent animals offer. It has always been clear that CHUM is a God driven, faith built, grace guided program where individuals with and without disabilities share and develop their love for horses. In this process, we see ‘life lessons’ occurring in the barn, victories over challenges, hope over despair, and relationship building in trust and love.
Bonnie DePue is also an old friend of therapeutic riding. She has been instructing since 1982. She is certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). She has worked with physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, and psychologists using the horse in treatment. Bonnie has spent over a decade learning about the use of the horse in medical treatment (hippotherapy) and is an occupational therapist herself.
During her years of experience, she has had many roles. She has chaired national, state, and local committees in the promotion of therapeutic riding. She continues to be active in the areas of research and ongoing education in the medical community and the public at large. Bonnie is committed to quality and the client-centered approach to providing services in either therapeutic riding or hippotherapy treatment sessions.
What We Offer
C.H.U.M. Therapeutic Riding Inc. offers the opportunity to share the world of horses with individuals with and without disabilities of all ages. We are a NARHA premier accredited center and our services are founded on their standards and guidelines.
* Therapeutic and recreational
* Riding lessons on specially trained horses
* Holiday and summer horse camps
* Riding and training clinics
* T.T.E.A.M. Training clinics
* 4-H club activities
* Horse shows and special events
Research opportunities in the areas of
* Physical therapy
* Occupational therapy
* Speech and language
* Mental health
* Human/animal bond
Where We Are Going
The future will be exciting, whatever it holds, but these are some of our dreams.
* C.H.U.M. owned therapeutic riding facility with therapy services clinic attached
* Bunkhouse facilities for respite care and family outings for members with disabilities
* Multi-disciplinary hippotherapy program
* Health care affiliations
* University affiliations
* Scholarship program
