Collaboration to provide increased services to a wider audience

February 3, 2020:  Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. (Lothlorien) recently became an affiliate of People Inc. The affiliation with People Inc., the region’s largest health and human services agency, will expand Lothlorien’s reach and mission of assisting people to develop their highest potential through therapeutically-based equine activities. The services will continue to be provided through trained volunteer facilitators and instructors who translate time spent with a horse into a meaningful, healing relationship that enhances overall health.

Working together since 2005, this new partnership allows Lothlorien and People Inc. to provide the best possible outcomes for people receiving support and the staff who assist them. This affiliation allows both organizations to pool resources to meet growing demands, enhance collaborative power and expand services for a broader geographic reach.

Additional benefits of the affiliation include increased stability, added capacity and expertise and improved prospects for growth. It will also provide cost benefits by efficiently combining office operations, such as administration, finance and human resources.

Thanks to the forward-thinking Lothlorien board, the partnership will showcase the effectiveness of collaboration and makes both entities stronger together. At the same time, it allows the Lothlorien name and legacy to continue within the community, while maintaining the intimate culture that people value from this important local resource.

“This affiliation is very exciting for all of us at Lothlorien. This is an opportunity for us to honor the history created by the Lothlorien leadership, while developing new services and reaching more people,” said Maggie Keller, Lothlorien executive director.

“We’re looking forward to embracing this new level of partnership with Lothlorien to help create new opportunities for the people our agencies support,” said Rhonda Frederick, president and CEO, People Inc. “The long-lasting benefits of the program will continue to help people thrive and achieve significant physical, emotional and cognitive milestones.”

In 2019, Lothlorien served over 700 people with all abilities, challenges and special needs.

A transition team from both agencies has been formed and agency supports will be integrated and strengthened, in addition to creating synergy through the partnership.

Established in 1983, Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. is a non-profit, therapeutic horseback riding facility providing horsemanship and horseback riding opportunities for people with cognitive, physical, emotional and learning disabilities. Lothlorien delivers therapeutic equine services with the help of specially trained instructors, 200 volunteers and two staff. Located at a 10-acre facility outside the Village of East Aurora, NY, Lothlorien is the longest running therapeutic program in Western New York, serving ages three and up. Programs can be modified to accommodate school, community and church groups, civic organizations, families, couples and more. For more information, go to lothlorientrc.org or call 716-655-1335.

People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 10,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, special needs, their families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews.