Karen Bainter, a special education teacher at Kaiser Elementary, 4500 S. Quittman St., raised $2,000 so her class of 16 special needs students could attend a series of therapeutic horseback rides at Praying Hands Ranch in Parker.

Bainter received donations from St. Luke’s Presbyterian Hospital and local firefighters and police.

The class will visit Praying Hands Ranch every Wednesday through March 12, leaving the school at 9 a.m. and returning at 2 p.m.

Therapeutic horseback riding provides students with much more than a horseback ride. The gentle, rhythmic movements of the horse help increase the balance, posture, muscle control and strength for riders with impaired mobility.

Riding also helps increase the concentration, patience and self-discipline for children and adults with learning disorders or cognitive difficulties. Just as beneficial for the students is the increased self-esteem, confidence and the friendship that develops between the volunteers, instructors and horses.

Praying Hands Ranch is a donation-based organization that through the years has raised over $2 million to build a state-of-the-art facility that allows for indoor horseback riding.

For more information contact Karen Bainter, Kaiser Elementary, at (303) 795-6014.

For more information about Praying Hands Ranch call (303) 841-4043.