Press Releases

Hospital for Special Care Offers Free Equine-Assisted and Aquatic/Fitness Programs to Veterans

Hospital for Special Care is working in partnership with Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) to provide opportunities for Veterans to improve their independence, well-being, and quality of life through adaptive fitness and therapeutic programs. SCSU was the recipient of a VA Adaptive Sports Grant and has partnered with HFSC to provide disabled Veterans and members of the Armed Forces living with a disability with the opportunity to participate in adaptive fitness activities at the Hospital for Special Care’s Aquatic and Fitness Center in New Britain and equine-assisted services at Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center in Middletown.

Programs include:

Aquatic and Fitness Center

• Aquatic Fitness Classes: Group water exercise classes are offered in the lap pool and warm water pool.  Exercises will be performed in a vertical position in shallow and/or deep water and are designed to promote and enhance physical and mental fitness.  Includes access to any of the 9 classes offered each week.
• Day Passes: Access to our fully accessible 27,000-square-foot facility during open program hours.  The Center features two indoor pools, a fitness center, and a strength training room. Open to veterans who want to pursue individual exercise at the center in addition to or in lieu of class participation.

To register and to learn more about these programs visit our Aquatics & Fitness Center, or contact 877-472-7665.

Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center

• Adaptive Horseback Riding:  A mounted program designed to teach veterans the skills necessary to ride a horse while building upon the horse-human bond and its effects on healing, building trust, and improving relationships. Instruction on basic riding skills is provided while learning proper body alignment, coordination, and balance.
• Unmounted Lessons: (on the ground, no riding) Learning safe horsemanship skills including horse communication, safe horse handling, and the basics of care including grooming, first aid, and feeding.
• Prior experience with horses is not required.

To register and to learn more about these programs visit Manes & Motions, or contact Valerie Zajac, Program Coordinator at 860-685-0008.