Vocational Education at BITS ETC benefits clients from 14 and up from area agencies, doctor’s referrals, schools, and with peer support. Some come with coded disabilities and some without; they stay because our horses need THEIR help. Horses foster a great work ethic!

Clients learn independence as skills improve, and increased self-confidence opens doors to other activities. The development of solid work habits may lead to suitable employment. Clients build on BITS’ success to achieve individual employment goals. This program empowers clients to seek the next level of engagement. Some may explore the world of viable careers in the equine sector.

Read about Monica’s success –

“In November 2017, Monica, a mentally disabled beautiful young lady, suffered a terrible debilitating drug overdose as a result of a pharmaceutical error. As a result, Monica came very close to death. The next three months were full of tremendous suffering for her while her family not only tried to figure out what was happening to her, but also tried to get someone to actually recognize that she needed help. There was no one who would help her because of her multiple diagnoses and mental disability. Many trips to the ER via ambulance resulted in being sent back home. By the time her family had actually gotten her admitted into the hospital she had lost 35 pounds, could not walk, talk, eat or even hold her head up. She was in a wheelchair with her eyes rolled back into her head.

Shortly after this, Monica started at BITS doing Vocational Rehabilitation activities mostly in the barn around the horses and out in the fields. She had no interest in riding the horses due to fear. She was still lost in her thought processes and was very vulnerable. For the next two or three years Monica’s instructor at BITS, as well as Monica’s mother, continued to gently encourage her to try to ride, but she refused. After about four years, Monica reluctantly decided that she wanted to try. After making this brave decision and attending therapeutic riding lessons for a couple of years, riding has made all the difference in Monica’s life; not just with her coordination, but also with her self-confidence, interest in life, energy and overall happiness. Her bouts with depression have all but disappeared”