Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s Office
Senator Addabbo catches up with GallopNYC Executive Director Nicole Cicogna (l. to r.), Motion the horse, and a stable hand at GallopNYC’s Forest Hills location.
By Forum Staff
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) recently visited GallopNYC’s Forest Hills post to learn more about the horse-riding organization and how he can help it expand into the veteran community.
Located on 70th Road between Ursula Place and Sybilla Street, GallopNYC specializes in helping both children and adults with developmental, emotional, social, and physical challenges, as well as veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other ailments, overcome their obstacles through therapeutic horsemanship.
“When I heard that GallopNYC works with veterans and helps them deal with the stresses of life after service, I was immediately interested,” said Addabbo, the ranking member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee. “Helping the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms is something I look to do every day, and hearing about the innovative ways that GallopNYC helps our veterans was fantastic.”
According to GallopNYC, by using therapeutic horsemanship, the trained staff help riders not only learn how to ride a horse, but develop life skills and build a bond with the horse.
Addabbo said he saw “firsthand the amazing work that GallopNYC does” when he visited the Forest Hills stable on Monday, Aug. 13.
“I saw children and adults excited to get on their horse and take it for a spin around the stable. I heard stories from volunteers about how GallopNYC helped them overcome their issues with physical ailments like multiple sclerosis,” the senator noted.
Addabbo has invited GallopNYC leadership to speak at his annual Veterans Barbecue on Sept. 29.
