“ROSES” Founder, Executive Director Joan Twining Named NARHA Instructor Of The Year
GLEN ARM, Md. (Oct. 29, 2009) - Joan Marie Twining, the founder and executive director of Rose of Sharon Equestrian School, Inc. (ROSES), has been named Instructor of the Year-Region 2 (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C.) by NARHA.
Twining will receive her award next month in Texas at the 2009 NARHA National Conference awards banquet, which the association says is "designed to celebrate the innovation, diligence and the sometimes miraculous accomplishments that occur in the equine-assisted activities and therapy industry."
"It is an honor to receive this industry recognition, but the true reward is being able to spend each day facilitating the powerful relationships that can occur between students and horses," Twining said.
Since age 11, Twining has pursued every opportunity to be in the company of horses. Whether that meant working as a riding camp counselor in her home state of Massachusetts or as a midwife to a herd of broodmares in North Carolina, Twining followed her passion wherever it led.
Combining her affinity for horses with her love for teaching, Twining studied at the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center under the tutelage of Linda McCowan, a NARHA founding member. After graduating from Cheff, she later became certified as a NARHA Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
Along the way, she also earned a Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University in special education/mild to moderate disabilities, and spent 12 years as a Baltimore County special educator.
Twining founded ROSES in 1998 to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to interact with horses in a uniquely therapeutic environment. In addition to serving as executive director, she takes on the roles of lead instructor, volunteer coordinator and stable manager.
"We are so proud of Joan. Her efforts on behalf of the school have been extraordinary, and the results she achieves with her students are remarkable," said ROSES Board Member Stephanie Hayes. "When people come to ROSES, they feel as though they have found a home. Much of that has to do with Joan."
About NARHA
Founded in 1969 as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, NARHA continues to be an authority, resource and advocate for equine-assisted activities and therapies at approximately 800 member centers worldwide. The association ensures its standards are met through an accreditation process for centers and a certification process for instructors. For more information, visit www.narha.org.
About ROSES
Located in Glen Arm, Md., ROSES offers therapeutic horsemanship programs for people with disabilities, volunteer opportunities for retirees, service learning projects for middle and high schoolers, remediation classes for students at risk of academic failure, and merit badge workshops for scouts. Its facilities meet United States Federal Accessibility Standards (USFAS), as well as those set by NARHA. For more information, visit www.roseofsharonschool.org.
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