The Ministry of Therapeutic Riding

Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano

When you ask Houghton graduates “how did you end up at Houghton,” invariably every answer you receive is evidence of God’s providential hand in their lives. Shelby (Skinner ’19) Dytschkowskyj grew up coming to Houghton from Franklinville for the Upward Bound program and remembers visiting campus for school trips. But it was a spot on Family Life Radio the ministry of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon, that put Shelby on the path she’s walking today.

Shelby didn’t grow up as a “farm kid,” and never owned a horse—in spite of her life-long love for horses. She’d sometimes do a little stable work for the occasional riding lesson, but it was that radio spot that inspired Shelby to figure out how to marry her love of horses with her heart for serving people. “It shaped my whole future,” Shelby stated.
As a teen Shelby started volunteering at High Hurdles, a therapeutic riding center in Sardinia, New York. She grew to love the work and knew she’d need to go to college if she wanted to pursue a career in therapeutic riding. Houghton wasn’t the only school Shelby considered, but at the end of the day she felt such a peace at Houghton that she turned down a full scholarship elsewhere in order to become a Highlander.

Throughout her time at Houghton, as she pursued a dual degree in Equestrian Studies and Psychology and worked on her PATH* certification, Shelby thrived in the “try it—you’ll learn something” environment. Under the leadership first of Jo-Anne (Olsen ’69) Young, who retired in 2017, and subsequently Larissa (Strappello ’08) Ries, Houghton’s equestrian program offered her plenty of hands-on experience serving on chore crew and teaching lessons for local children.

Shelby also had the opportunity to intern with a barn in Arkansas. Like many student internships, it didn’t turn out exactly how she’d anticipated. “Houghton was such a supportive and kind environment. I loved being personally involved with professors, like Andrea (Potteiger ’00) Boon, worshiping with them in church, watching their kids, being a part of their lives. I was honestly a bit naïve about the greater equine world. My experiences in that internship and my first jobs opened my eyes to some of the cruelty in the equine world. Because of that, I spend a lot of time reflecting on Houghton’s culture and I work to bring that culture into my current role.”

As for her current roles, those teenage years volunteering at High Hurdles became a job offer after Shelby graduated. Today, she serves as program director at the sasi-affiliated barn. sasi, a Western New York non-profit that supports people with developmental disabilities, connects people with creative opportunities that honor their choices and fit their lives—riding being one of those creative opportunities.

In addition to taking on the role of director at High Hurdles shortly after COVID, Shelby recently became the director of equine assisted services for the Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center in East Aurora, New York, another SASI-affiliated barn. “I never envisioned climbing ladders,” Shelby remarked wryly. “I struggled a bit to find my sense of calling in my transition to administration. I’m now seeing the success of good administration that leads to flourishing programs.” She credits her liberal arts education at Houghton with equipping her to make the transition into administration.

Along with her colleagues, Shelby supports people with mental, cognitive and physical disabilities, such as autism, Downs Syndrome or cerebral palsy. They work with children as young as four through adults in their eighties, making riding an accessible sport for each student.  While Shelby and her team aren’t therapists, they partner with riders to help them translate “horse skills” into “life skills,” inspiring independence and encouraging verbal and physical development.

Shelby approaches every day as a true scholar-servant. She lives out that early dream of working with horses to help people, whether writing policies at her desk or teaching in the arena. As she sees the growth in the lives of her riders and the impact it has on their families, she feels a clear sense of the ministry of her calling.

Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano is the Director of Marketing and Communication and Editor of Houghton Magazine.

*Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship