August 29, 2022

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pegasus Springs TRC Hires Recreational Therapist

 

National City, MI – In their 5th year serving Northeast Michigan with Equine Assisted Services, Pegasus Springs Therapeutic Riding Center is excited to welcome their first full time staff member, Courtney Jagielski.  Ms. Jagielski holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo as a Recreational Therapist.  She brings her knowledge and enthusiasm to assist current and new clients through the varied programs offered at Pegasus Springs. 

“Courtney’s diverse education, varied field placements and internships bring a new level of service to our organization”, says Barb Clare, founder and director, “her addition is a game-changer and sets the course of our organization on a solid and sustainable path”.  Courtney had strongly considered becoming a physical therapist, but when her father mentioned a friend at work whose son with special needs was thriving in a recreational therapy program, she looked into the field and decided it was the perfect fit.  Her love of utilizing animals in her work is why she reached out to Pegasus Springs. Her strong desire to engage others in life is what drives Courtney. She completed a 14-week internship at a therapeutic riding center in Tennessee working with the very young to elderly, including the visually impaired, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety and depression, veterans, and at-risk-youth.

Courtney’s focus at Pegasus Springs TRC will be working with our U.S. Military Veterans through the Huron Heroes & Horses PTSD program, current youth programs in mental health, respite care for nursing home residents, assisting area foster care youth, adopted youth, and those mainstreaming into adulthood, helping people reconnect with life after the pandemic, and learning the community’s needs for additional programs.

Recreational therapists understand the disease process and the rehabilitation process.  Persons at any skill level can receive the services of a recreational therapist. Other therapies can deny services to someone they feel will not benefit from them, whereas a person should never be denied the participation in a recreation experience.

Recreational therapy offers significant positive health results for people of any age, from toddlers to the elderly, with engagement in activities to enhance the function, independence, and welfare of individuals affected with a disabling condition. Activities for the client cover their physical, spiritual, artistic, intellectual, social and sensory well-being. Pegasus Springs works with clients who seek recreational therapy for themselves, or directly with their healthcare provider. Medicare covers therapeutic recreation for certain conditions. Some health insurance policies will also cover recreational therapy. An individual’s healthcare provider and insurance company can provide details about coverage and how to get a therapy referral. It is important to remember that only a prescription for recreational therapy would be considered for reimbursement.

Since 2018, the 501(c)3 non-profit organization has offered inclusive camps, individual and group therapeutic riding, veterans’ equine assisted psychotherapy and youth mental health and learning in mounted and unmounted activities serving persons from several counties. Clare adds, “along with the construction of a new, large indoor arena with offices, accessible bathroom and multi-purpose room this Fall, we are able to provide year-round professional services to become an agency in Northeast Michigan that families can trust to be a source of hope and healing for years to come”.

For more information on how recreational therapy can help you or your loved one, contact Barb Clare at 989-820-1787, or visit their website www.pegasusspringsmi.com.