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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, The Stars and Strides Stables Therapeutic Riding |
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| 6 | 7 | | Center in Weatherford has enriched the lives of children and adults |
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| 7 | 8 | | with disabilities by giving them the opportunity to experience the |
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| 8 | 9 | | myriad benefits of horseback riding; and |
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| 9 | 10 | | WHEREAS, The nonprofit organization was founded in 2012 by |
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| 10 | 11 | | owners David and Teresa Miller, whose daughter, Courtney, was born |
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| 11 | 12 | | with Kabuki syndrome, a condition associated with various physical |
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| 12 | 13 | | and cognitive differences; the Millers enrolled Courtney in |
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| 13 | 14 | | equine-assisted therapy when she was nine years old and were |
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| 14 | 15 | | impressed with the impact it had on both her health and self-esteem; |
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| 15 | 16 | | Ms. Miller, who earned certification as an equine therapy |
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| 16 | 17 | | instructor through the Professional Association of Therapeutic |
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| 17 | 18 | | Horsemanship International, was inspired to open a facility of her |
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| 18 | 19 | | own in Parker County; the organization has since grown from serving |
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| 19 | 20 | | two clients to approximately 50 clients per week, and it has added a |
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| 20 | 21 | | number of experienced former show horses to its stables; and |
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| 21 | 22 | | WHEREAS, Stars and Strides provides equine-assisted therapy |
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| 22 | 23 | | to children and adults with a variety of different disabilities, |
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| 23 | 24 | | and it now includes a Protectors Program for veterans and first |
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| 24 | 25 | | responders who are recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder |
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| 25 | 26 | | or traumatic injury; all riders are encouraged to begin riding |
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| 26 | 27 | | independently as soon and as safely as possible, and with the help |
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| 27 | 28 | | of caring guidance and instruction, young clients often exceed |
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| 28 | 29 | | their parents' expectations with what they can accomplish; some of |
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| 29 | 30 | | the program's students have gone on to compete in equestrian shows |
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| 30 | 31 | | for riders with special needs, as well as in open shows for riders |
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| 31 | 32 | | of all ability levels; and |
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| 32 | 33 | | WHEREAS, In just seven years, Stars and Strides Stables has |
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| 33 | 34 | | contributed to the health, happiness, and well-being of many |
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| 34 | 35 | | individuals and gained a well-deserved reputation for excellence, |
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| 35 | 36 | | and David and Teresa Miller may take great pride in the outstanding |
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| 36 | 37 | | program they have built; now, therefore, be it |
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| 37 | 38 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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| 38 | 39 | | Legislature hereby honor the Stars and Strides Stables Therapeutic |
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| 39 | 40 | | Riding Center for the beneficial service it offers to people with |
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| 40 | 41 | | disabilities and extend to David and Teresa Miller sincere best |
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| 41 | 42 | | wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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| 42 | 43 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 43 | 44 | | prepared for Stars and Strides as an expression of high regard by |
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| 44 | 45 | | the Texas House of Representatives. |
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