Behind the Scenes with Rhonda Witt Cross, Security Assistant – Remington Park

Rhonda Witt Cross.

Another behind the scenes example of self-motivation and consistency. We wanted to get a further look into her dedication and involvment with a Non-Profit organization ("The Sky's The Limit Ranch"), so behind the scene we go......

Q1: What is your motivation for doing this?

A:  Ultimately, my motivation is very selfish……I love being there when a rider makes a connection, learns a new skill, or just smiles because riding a horse is fun.
I love horses! I really enjoy sharing that passion and using a horse’s movement to benefit someone’s life physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

Q2: What is your organization’s goal/purpose?

A:  The organization’s mission statement is: “The Sky's the Limit Ranch, Inc is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing equine-related interventions through a joint community effort to instill hope for a brighter future, a dream of health and happiness, and a world of success in those we serve.”

Q3: How much more patience does it take to work with people with disabilities than it does with your everyday coworkers and others you encounter?

A:  In many ways, it is actually easier! Able-bodied folks take so many things for granted….sitting, standing, walking, speaking…..so the little things turn into big things….providing so much pleasure and joy to everyone involved that patience is not an issue.

Q4: How exactly does working for a “non-profit organization” work, if not to profit, what is the goal and how is it achieved?

A:   Specifically, a non-profit “is neither a legal nor technical definition, but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals rather than to distribute them as profit or dividends.” (from Wikipedia)

A non-profit organization may be recognized as a charitable organization by the IRS with a 501(c)(3) determination which makes it eligible to receive tax deductible donations from individuals and businesses. The Sky's the Limit Ranch, Inc is so designated, since 2000.
Everyone at The Sky’s the Limit Ranch is a volunteer. We have no paid positions.
Our goal is to provide equine-assisted activity and therapy services to individuals with disabilities at no charge. However, doing that is a function of the number of volunteers we have and the number of certified riding instructors. The more volunteers and certified instructors we have, the more riders we can accommodate.

Q5: How long have you been doing this?

A:  Almost every Saturday since July of 2000.

Q6: What is your title and what does it mean for your organization?

A:   I have several titles………………PATH, Intl Certified Riding Instructor, President of Board of Directors, Program Director, in addition to equine caretaker, head groom……
The Sky's the Limit Ranch, Inc is a member of PATH, Intl (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International). In order to remain a member, we have to have a certified riding instructor on-site during any sessions. At the moment, I am the only certified riding instructor for the program, therefore, we only have riding sessions on Saturday mornings due to my full-time employment.

Q7: What is your organization’s affiliation with the Remington Park Golf Classic and how does your organization benefit from the event?

A:   The Sky’s the Limit Ranch is blessed to have been a beneficiary of the Remington Park Golf Classic since its inception in 2007. Without such generosity, the program would not exist. The proceeds from the Golf Classic pay the boarding fees for three horses, feed and hay, veterinary services, program supplies, and more.

Q8: How many individuals does your organization work with every month/year?

A:  We serve approximately 12 individuals, adults and children, annually. The therapeutic benefit comes from consistent weekly riding. Again, the number we serve is a function of the number of volunteers we have and the number of certified riding instructors. The more volunteers and certified instructors we have, the more riders we can serve.

Q9: What have you learned from your experiences with helping these people individuals with disabilities?

A:   I’ve learned to be grateful and thankful for what God’s given me. I’ve learned that when we serve others, we are blessed beyond measure. I’ve learned that I can do/be more than I once thought….I enrolled back into college in 2009 at 49 y/o to take required classes in order to apply for a Physical Therapy doctorate program which I will do in January 2013. I want to use the horse in the physical therapy setting for “hippotherapy”, treatment with the help of a horse, using the horse’s movement to facilitate physical therapy activities.

Q10: What is your favorite thing about being a part of this?

A:     The smiles and hugs of the riders, families, and fellow volunteers.

Additionally, I get the opportunity to raise awareness of the benefits of therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities by speaking to civic organizations and other groups along with future school teachers and occupational therapy assistant students doing service hours for their college classes.