2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 360
Commending the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 13, 2025
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 17, 2025
WHEREAS, for 50 years, the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center has been a fixture of the Loudoun County community, focused namely on helping children with disabilities but truly helping anyone who could benefit from the holistic healing that horses can provide; and
WHEREAS, the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center provides equine therapy, hippotherapy, equine-assisted learning, equine-assisted activities for senior citizens, and Equine Services for Heroes, a treatment method tailored to wounded veterans; and
WHEREAS, the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center was founded 50 years ago and was the first-ever pilot program for therapeutic riding in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the founders of the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center, Barbara Baird and Leonard Warner, had a vision to help adults and children with physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges by helping them build self-confidence, self-discipline, strength, mobility, and coordination using the healing power of horses; and
WHEREAS, the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center began commemorating its 50th anniversary by hosting a screening of the film National Velvet, along with a red carpet fashion show fundraiser on February 17, 2024, and hosted a range of anniversary events throughout the year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Laura W. Smith, executive director of the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the center's vital support for the disability community and so many others, as well as a legacy of achievements in service to the Loudoun County community.