Volunteer keeps busy at Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding Center
Jordan Somma keeps busy at Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding Center in Summit Township.
Somma, one of about 25 volunteers, spends every Tuesday and Saturday at the nonprofit organization on Headland Road, where therapeutic horse-riding and its boundless benefits are offered to disabled persons.
“I do it all here. I lead, I tack, I groom,” said Somma, 28. “I’m here every Saturday morning at 6 a.m. I get here, clean the stalls, get the water buckets filled, clean all the cobwebs that are forming in the stalls, set up the helmets, set up the saddles, sweep, and try to get a head start on everything.
“They’re done by noon, but I always stick around and clean up.”
Years ago, Somma, of Hampton, would never have pictured himself being where he is now, an integral part of this horse-riding therapy program, which operates every Thursday and Saturday. He was more focused on his educational pursuits at La Roche University, and he consequently now has a separate 9-to-5 job involving project management.
“My brother started doing it (caring for horses), and he kind of let me start learning. So, I owe a lot to my brother, Joey, for getting me involved in this — I couldn’t have done it without him. I didn’t even think about it until he started doing it.”
Somma says he has applied much of what he has learned in his current career to his volunteer work at Elliott Acres. “In the end, it is all kind of intertwined,” he says.
Somma started as a rider in the program in 2017, after his older brother, Joey, recommended it to him, but he soon transitioned into working solely as a volunteer. Somma gradually earned more responsibility and became the social media and volunteer coordinator. He also earned a spot on the board of directors.
According to Deb Elliott, the founder of the 14-acre Elliott Acres and a certified instructor with the Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship and the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, Somma is a huge help around the center.
“He’s been very faithful. He just fits in really well with us. He really enjoys it, I guess. It’s a blessing for me, for sure,” Elliott said.
Elliott Acres is active on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, largely due to Somma’s social media prowess. He also “overhauled” the website, and it includes thorough information on the many facets of the program.
He has been largely responsible for the outreach of the program, as well, and has brought in new people — riders and volunteers, alike — via social media and other methods.
“I’m posting. I make flyers that I send to every school district within Butler and northern Allegheny County, and a few colleges, as well. I put it on social media. I put us in The Hampton News because I am from Hampton,” he said. “I try to go through social media and kind of keep bugging people, sending flyers to guidance counselors … I’ve definitely brought in some new faces, familiar faces.”
Outreach for this program is of high importance given that before, according to Elliott, it was mostly advertised by word-of-mouth. Given the amazing benefits offered through therapeutic horse-riding, which are mostly physical and psycho-social in nature, more people should know about Elliott Acres.
“Our mission is to enhance the mental, the physical and the emotional rider, so that they know exactly how the horse can benefit them. Using their reins and their legs stimulates their mental ability to communicate with the horse,” Elliot said about the program. “So it’s a communication thing, it’s a physical thing, definitely a mental thing for the riders. We try to keep them having fun by doing different activities, and we also try to make sure that they’re safe, which is the number one priority for me.”
Elliott explained that one client, after participating in the program for a while was, as a result, able to ride a bicycle for the first time.
When asked about how easy it is to get involved in the program, Elliott simply stated, “Just show up!”
Benefits are easily extended to the volunteers, as well. Elliott notes that her volunteers do not have their own horses, and she takes great joy in sharing hers with them, which also is one of Somma’s favorite aspects of the program.
“Sometimes me and the other volunteers get to ride. We’ll come out at night and trail ride, just keep the horses moving, keep them exercised.”
However, his all-time favorite part of the experience is, “seeing the client smile and enjoying it when they’re on the horse. They love being on the horse. The smile is what makes it worthwhile.”
Overall, Somma was easy to express his utmost gratitude towards Elliott, her program, and the effect that it has had on his life.
“I think this is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had in my life, and Deb is the most patient person you’ll ever meet. And she’s really good with the horses.”
The appreciation clearly goes both ways, as Somma has worked tirelessly to promote the program and to maintain it over the years, and it is evident that Elliott and virtually everyone involved in the horse-riding therapy program are certainly grateful for this hardworking and modest volunteer.
