Houghton/Nonprofits

Houghton Alumna Leads Therapeutic Riding Programs for People with Disabilities

Houghton University featured 2019 graduate Shelby Dytschkowskyj, who has built a career helping people with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding. Dytschkowskyj, who studied equestrian studies and psychology at Houghton and holds professional therapeutic-horsemanship certification, serves as program director at High Hurdles in Sardinia and recently became director of equine-assisted services at Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center in East Aurora. The two barns work with riders as young as four through adults in their eighties who live with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy. Staff aren't therapists, but they use horsemanship to help riders build independence and develop verbal and physical skills, aiming to make riding an accessible sport for people with disabilities.