Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center

Corporate partners like #ProCare help Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center keep program fees as low as possible, which are currently less than 35 percent of the actual cost for therapy and recreational services. Donations of services and materials definitely make a difference. ProCare's owner, Andy, donated his time and skills to personally clean the roof and gutters on our Training Center. We are grateful to our new partner ProCare for helping us preserve a structure that is vital to Little Bit's operations. Please help us thank ProCare by considering their services for your workplace or home: procarewindowcleaning.com

HORSES AND HUMANS RESEARCH FOUNDATION is offering what will surely be a wonderful #webinar this Sunday, March 9! Join in to hear Paralympians share their incredible journeys and the role horses play in their successes.

In November Sinclair Inc.'s KOMO executives traded their BizX dollars for Little Bit and Leadership Adventures, Inc. Equine Assisted Leadership Development workshop. Little Bit even provided lunch using its BizX dollars at Poppinjay’s Cafe and Catering. The feedback about the workshop was amazing! Jennifer Lopez, General Sales Manager at KOMO said, "The experiences with the horses really opened my eyes to lessons of: non-verbal cues, leading with confidence, adapting to different personalities, etc." Want to explore opportunities to use your BizX dollars to obtain an impactful training for your staff around leadership development, building trust, team-building, or a custom subject that supports your annual goals, just email [email protected] or call (425) 882-1554, ext. 103.

Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center is proud to be among the 1,300 non-profits that receive individual financial support from King County, WA employees. This week we celebrated 37 years of King County Employee Giving Program's success with Jorge L. Barón, King County Councilmember (pictured), many of the 227 employee ambassadors who champion the program, and some of the 2,350 King County employees who have pledged a combined 2.37 million in financial support for non-profits in 2025! Also impressive is the 2,096 volunteer hours served by the program ambassadors, including King County Metro ambassadors who won an award for most new employee connections to the program! Thank you, #KingCounty employees, for seeing the value that Little Bit provides to people with disabilities in your community.

Please join us at the 40th Annual Reins of Life Gala Auction on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at The Westin Bellevue, so we can ensure Little Bit’s continued success in transforming the lives of people with disabilities. Visit https://lnkd.in/g79_xSd to learn more and reserve your ticket or table now!??

We had a great time hosting Sinclair Inc. (KOMO) executives for Leadership Adventures, Inc., Trust-Based Leadership Development workshop. There's a combination of classroom work and plenty of time to interact with Little Bit horses to validate the classroom concepts. "The experiences with the horses really opened my eyes to lessons of: non-verbal cues, leading with confidence, and adapting to different personalities, etc.," said Jennifer Lopez, General Sales Manager, KOMO. "We can help your company achieve its goals for your staff in 2025, whether it's teambuilding, building trust, or a strengths-based culture, work with us to create the best opportunity for your team," said Paula J. Del Giudice, Executive Director at Little Bit. For more information go to: https://lnkd.in/ghf3TgtF Everyone who attended from KOMO agreed that they wish they'd had more time on our site! #KOMO #EquineAssistedLeadershipDevelopmentAcademy #LittleBitTherapeuticRidingCenter #SinclairBroadcasting #LeadershipAdventures

?? At three years old, Vivian wore 18-month clothing. The low muscle tone she was born with, sometimes referred to as “floppy muscles,” was robbing her of the energy she desperately needed for the simplest activities like eating. Just existing was hard for Vivian. Her mom, Jillian, and dad, Kevin, turned to Little Bit for help with the biggest challenge—feeding. ? Jillian shared, “When we started at Little Bit, she would sleep really hard on the day or so afterwards, then wake up and do something that she hadn’t done before, like say a new word. We can attribute it to Little Bit because there was nothing else that was different.” ? Her therapist, Sarah, COTA, noticed an immediate change, too. “On the very first day before she rode, she crawled across the therapy gym with one leg turned out. That same day, after Vivian’s brain and body experienced Brunhilda’s rhythmical and symmetrical movement, her body was able to crawl symmetrically, too, allowing her to explore even more.” ? “Within a month at Little Bit, she went from appearing exhausted after eating two grains of rice to asking for more food and having bigger bites. Vivian’s core muscles have strengthened her ability to eat. Her whole digestive system is stronger thanks to her strong core muscles,” said Jillian. She continued, “Not even a year in, we have transitioned out of her leg braces and into boots with straps.” ? Sarah shared, “I’ve noticed that her increased strength has allowed her to take even bigger breaths and gather more air so that she can add more speech sounds. We went from Vivian not telling Brunhilda anything to taking both hands back past her shoulders and saying, ‘Go!’ which is a sign of her increased core strength.” ? When asked what she would like to say to Little Bit supporters, Jillian responded, “Thank you for giving Vivian enough energy to be playful and enough strength to grow.” ? Find the full story at www.littlebit.org/blog. Thank you to Vivian, Jillian, and Kevin for sharing their story with all of us. Thank you to Vivian’s Little Bit Team. Thank you to Steve Birds Photography.

“. . . I really do believe that the connection between people with disabilities and the horses is something unique. I think that Little Bit also, in addition to serving the rider, really serves the broader community—to be able to see that people with disabilities can still be active and fulfilled despite their disabilities.” —Brooke, Mom and Little Bit Adaptive Rider ?For 48 years, Little Bit has focused on what people, like Brooke, can do, not what they can’t. Little Bit licensed therapists and certified instructors have the training and experience to work with each person’s unique abilities and goals—and gain results. Today, despite the cost of living and rising prices, Little Bit delivers Therapy and Adaptive Riding services at less than 35 percent of the actual cost. Your support makes this possible. Please give as generously as you can today at www.littlebit.org/brooke!? ??: Steve Birds Photography

Brain Injury Alliance of Washington is hosting a class on Navigating SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) & SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Understanding Disability Benefits ?? Thursday, January 16th, 2025 ?? 11am-12pm (PST) This class will explore how to navigate disability benefits and may be beneficial to many of our families. To register, visit https://lnkd.in/grCT6ppb

“Little Bit is not as much of a struggle as other self-care activities. It’s pure enjoyment . . . I would never give up Little Bit unless someone tells me I can’t come back . . . It would really leave a hole for me.” —Brooke Can we count on you today to help Little Bit provide life-changing opportunities for Brooke and nearly 500 children and adults with disabilities a year? Please find Brooke's story and make your gift at www.littlebit.org/brooke.