Community Events

Castro Valley Educational Foundation

Contact Information:

CVEF

PO Box 2693

Castro Valley, CA 94546

Ph: 510.537.3335 ext 1638

cvef@comcast.net

Tax ID# 94-2797523

The Castro Valley Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3)corporation. Donations may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.

Make a donation through PayPal. Just click on the PayPal icon to get started.

The Castro Valley Educational Foundation is now a partner with the United Way of the East Bay. When you make your contribution be sure to designate CVEF.

Wildhorse!

Instruction in horseback riding for children and adults at all levels of mobility and disability.

Instructor and Director: Dr. Kari Ann Owen, Ph.D.

Web Site: http://www.kariannowen.com/Wildhorse.html

Wildhorse!, a non profit therapeutic horseback riding program in Castro Valley , has lesson openings at two PM and three PM on Wednesdays and Fridays. Trained volunteers, a wheelchair mounting ramp and a wheelchair accessible full bathroom are available. Disabled veterans are especially welcome! The location is Applecreek Farms, a magnificent 130 acre equestrian facility in Castro Valley . Please see our web site at www.kariannowen.com/Wildhorse.html, and do read our parental and professional recommendations and commendations.

What does riding do for disabled adults and children? It helps build confidence while assisting muscular strength and development as well as coordination and focus. It provides great happiness and a very safe and positive social environment for all our students and their families. Program Director and Head Instructor Kari Ann Owen was once 98% mobility impaired from crippling sciatica, and in a wheelchair. Her physical recovery, while not perfect and still necessitating a service dog, has motivated Kari Ann to serve others, and if there is a lack of funds for a student whose family cannot afford lessons, Kari Ann will research advertisements for part time work as well as granting opportunities.

Kari Ann Owen is a Certified and Registered Instructor for the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and is insured by the Markel Organization of Virginia. Her teaching approach is inspired by Centered Riding™ and yoga techniques and arena games for both abled and disabled riders. Hopes and dreams for the near future include service to disabled veterans and their families, and cancer patients.

Wildhorse! is a year round program. Please write or call us anytime.

The source of our identity is not what we hate but what we love.

Please read about Kari Ann teaching horseback riding to the abled and handicapped! http://www.kariannowen.com/Wildhorse_.html

and her service dogs at http://www.kariannowen.com/Service_Dogs.html.

Here is an article by Cassie Rainbow, Kari Ann's new service dog (successor to Hero La Lumiere). http://baywoof.com/0905_SvcDogHvn.shtml

(This is a community service announcement not to be interpreted as an endorsement by the Castro Valley Educational Foundation.)