WALK ON Therapeutic Riding Program, Inc,

The Walk On Therapeutic Riding Program is under the direction of NARHA Members Ken and Katy Giske.  

Ken and Katy  began Walk On Therapeutic Riding Program, Inc. on September 10, 2001.  With their
collective experience with horses and working with individuals with a disability, they provide an excellent
body of knowledge to enhance the rider's riding experience.  During the short history of the program, they
have developed the program from once a week with four riders to the current program of three times per
week serving thirty-six riders per week.

Ken's educational background includes a teaching degree in adapted physical
education, with over 30 years of experience working with individuals with
disability  in a variety of settings including 26 years at a nationally recognized
rehabilitation center.  Ken has taught at numerous seminars and conferences
on adaptive aquatic and disabilities and at the University of Minnesota as an
American Red Cross Adapted Aquatics Instructor.

Ken's horse related experience includes 23 years of working with horses and
completed the University of Wisconsin - River Falls Horse Management course.  
He has attended horse clinics with nationally known horse clinicians Ray Hunt,
Tony Dorrance, and Jack Brainard.  Ken is also a volunteer Horse Project leader
and Riding instructor with the Pierce County Wisconsin 4-H program.  Prior to
beginning Walk On,  Ken volunteered his time as a horseleader and side walker
with several other therapeutic riding programs.

Ken is the NARHA Registered Certified Instructor for the Walk On Therapeutic
Riding Program.  He received his certification in the fall of 2001.  As the
instructor he is responsible for overseeing horse, tack, equipment, program
content and instruction.

Katy is a NARHA Member and participated in the NARHA
Instructor workshop.  She has been involved with horses for 18
years as a trail rider and along with Ken, owns, manages, and
operates the boarding facility, Double K Acres Equestrian and
Therapeutic Riding Center, were Walk On Therapeutic Riding is
held.

Katy's background includes a degree in therapeutic recreation
with experience in working with individuals with physical
disabilities, children, adolescents, adult mental health and
chemical dependency.  Katy has attended numerous
conferences and seminars dealing with mental health issues,
autism and child development.  

Katy serves as the volunteer and program registration coordinator
and is the liaison between the riders, the parents or caregivers,
and the volunteers.  

The Giske’s make this riding program a family event with the assistance of their two daughters, Page and
Cassy.

These two young women have been riding
since they were babies and have been
involved with horses their entire life.  They are
accomplished riders and have participated in
numerous horse shows, at the local and
regional level.  They are members of the
Pierce County, Wisconsin, 4HClub and Horse
Program, and have participated in the
University of Wisconsin River Falls Equine
Science Summer Riding Clinics.  Cassy is a
member of the River Falls High School FFA.

They both have assisted in the training and
development of program horses.  Because of
their strong background and knowledge of the
horse and rider, they act as horse leaders and
side walkers and provide a wonderful role
model with many of the younger riders of the
program.

Page

Cassy

The program would not be possible without the wonderful volunteers.  Through the efforts of Ken and
Katy, they have developed a group of ninety volunteers, who give of their time, talents, and knowledge to
help make Walk On Therapeutic Riding Programs.