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Contributed by: Steve Shultz/YourHub.com on 11/6/2006

Connections Therapeutic Riding Center in Centennial is a nonprofit organization founded in January 2003 that is dedicated to providing therapy for those with autism.

Connections was just awarded a $1,000 Community Giving grant from YourHub.com and Post-News Community. The nomination was submitted by Highlands Ranch resident Cynthia Ergenbright.

While Connections provides therapy for primarily autistic children, Director Cathy Stecklein said the oldest patient is 68 years old.

According to Stecklein, Connections shelters rescue horses that provide autistic patients therapy in the form of riding and bonding. But therapy is not limited to riding rescue horses, she said. Connections offers therapy in the areas of brain exercises, speech, cognition, sensory integration, core strength, emotional responses and self-regulation.

"Some of these kids are so sensitive at the sensory levels that they just can't tolerate a lot of foods," Stecklein said.

While spending time with the kids, Stecklein was kicked in the head by a rescue horse Aug. 2 and, as stated in Ergenbright's nomination, suffered a severe brain injury, a fractured skull, a smashed orbital bone and a broken neck. Ergenbright said Stecklein was in a coma for several days.

Eight weeks later, Stecklein returned to her life's work at Connections. Stecklein said the $1,000 grant will be used to help fund "scholarships for underprivileged families."

"I think the most important key is on educational kinesiology," Stecklein said. "Learning happens through motion."

Stecklein said the horses are the children's vehicles to overcoming the difficulties of autism. "It's extremely effective," she said.

Ergenbright was pursuing a career in graphic arts in 2003 at Platte College in Aurora when she met Stecklein, who called the school wanting to know if anyone could make a DVD for her nonprofit organization to help garner more funds, Ergenbright said.

Having previous video experience, Ergenbright volunteered to put together a three to five minute presentation, a music video, she said, and distributed the DVD.

"We just became friends," Ergenbright said.

Ergenbright said Comcast and Channel 7 saw the short presentation and, as a result, Stecklein was given a 7Everyday Hero Award in 2005.

Ergenbright said she continues to help the organization by working on their Web site, making brochures and doing other graphic design.

The Connections facility moved from Aurora to Centennial in October 2005. The facility in Centennial has a closed arena for the horses.

"Autistic children need a quiet environment in which to do their therapy," Ergenbright said. "She didn't have that at the old facility."

YourHub.com and Post-News Community awarded 15 $1,000 grants to local nonprofits that volunteers, donors and other supporters nominated.

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