MICHIGAN

Horses provide therapy for disabled persons in Ann Arbor

The Detroit News
Jan Vescelius, right, Program Director and Head Instructor of Therapeutic Riding Inc., helps rider Deb Swartz onto the horse Sigbjorn, Tuesday morning in Ann Arbor. Therapeutic Riding Inc. just celebrated its 35th Anniversary.
Jan Vescelius, right, Program Director and Head Instructor of Therapeutic Riding Inc., helps rider Deb Swartz onto the horse Sigbjorn, Tuesday morning in Ann Arbor. Therapeutic Riding Inc. just celebrated its 35th Anniversary.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Jan Vescelius, right, Program Director and Head Instructor of Therapeutic Riding Inc., helps rider Elizabeth Lerchin onto Miko, with the help of volunteers Louise Moore, top left, and Merrily Hart.
Jan Vescelius, right, Program Director and Head Instructor of Therapeutic Riding Inc., helps rider Elizabeth Lerchin onto Miko, with the help of volunteers Louise Moore, top left, and Merrily Hart.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Elizabeth Lerchin rides the horse Miko, with the help of volunteers Louise Moore, left, Pat Whitworth, leading the horse, and Ellie Clark.
Elizabeth Lerchin rides the horse Miko, with the help of volunteers Louise Moore, left, Pat Whitworth, leading the horse, and Ellie Clark.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Elizabeth Lerchin rides the horse Miko, with the help of volunteers Louise Moore, left, Pat Whitworth, leading the horse, and Ellie Clark, Tuesday morning in Ann Arbor.
Elizabeth Lerchin rides the horse Miko, with the help of volunteers Louise Moore, left, Pat Whitworth, leading the horse, and Ellie Clark, Tuesday morning in Ann Arbor.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Deb Swartz makes her way around the riding ring on the horse Sigbjorn, with the help of volunteers Tatiana Bernstein, closest to camera, and Debita Graham.
Deb Swartz makes her way around the riding ring on the horse Sigbjorn, with the help of volunteers Tatiana Bernstein, closest to camera, and Debita Graham.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Deb Swartz makes her way around the riding ring on the horse Sigbjorn.
Deb Swartz makes her way around the riding ring on the horse Sigbjorn.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Volunteer Angela Bonnell, helps out with the horse B. Smiley, during the Tuesday morning riding session at Therapeutic Riding Inc. in Ann Arbor.
Volunteer Angela Bonnell, helps out with the horse B. Smiley, during the Tuesday morning riding session at Therapeutic Riding Inc. in Ann Arbor.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Volunteer Debita Graham, listens to Jan Vescelius, left, give instructions to rider Deb Swartz, as she makes her way around the riding ring on the horse Sigbjorn.
Volunteer Debita Graham, listens to Jan Vescelius, left, give instructions to rider Deb Swartz, as she makes her way around the riding ring on the horse Sigbjorn.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Jan Vescelius, Program Director and Head Instructor of Therapeutic Riding Inc., gives the riders instructions as they circle the riding ring for the Tuesday morning session in Ann Arbor.
Jan Vescelius, Program Director and Head Instructor of Therapeutic Riding Inc., gives the riders instructions as they circle the riding ring for the Tuesday morning session in Ann Arbor.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Michelle Witzig practices her balance atop the horse Hey Dobbs, by riding with no hands during her therapeutic riding session.
Michelle Witzig practices her balance atop the horse Hey Dobbs, by riding with no hands during her therapeutic riding session.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Volunteer Debita Graham, leads Sigbjorn back to his stable after his morning therapy session.
Volunteer Debita Graham, leads Sigbjorn back to his stable after his morning therapy session.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News
Volunteer Tatiana Bernstein sweeps up the stable floor following Tuesday morning's riding session at Therapeutic Riding Inc. in Ann Arbor.
Volunteer Tatiana Bernstein sweeps up the stable floor following Tuesday morning's riding session at Therapeutic Riding Inc. in Ann Arbor.
Lon Horwedel, Special To The Detroit News