(Southwest Florida) November, 2019, Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, Inc. (SMART) is pleased to announce they have received a $3,000 grant from the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation. The grant will be used to provide partial and full scholarships for therapeutic riding and equine assisted learning sessions to children with disabilities in the Lakewood Ranch area.

“We are honored to be a part of such a giving community,” said Dee Danmeyer, executive director of SMART, and are so grateful to the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund for their continued support of our mission.”

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is a fund of Manatee Community Foundation. Established in 2000 by the Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the Fund has awarded more than $1.3 million to impact the arts, human services, education, animal welfare, the environment, civic engagement, and health-related causes. 

About SMART

Established in 1987, Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART) is a non-profit organization that provides horseback riding, carriage driving and equine-assisted activities for individuals with disabilities. Located in eastern Manatee County, SMART is a mostly volunteer organization that serves over 650 individuals with disabilities each year, including people with a variety of challenges such as autism, attention deficit disorder, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, as well as individuals with terminal illness, emotional or mental health conditions, and hearing, speech or vision impairments. Among the activities offered are therapeutic horseback riding and driving, a literacy program, and programs for veterans, at-risk youth and teens, and victims of human trafficking. Volunteers age 14 and over are welcome to join the organization at any time after completing an orientation and training program.

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