Donna Brandt
Donna moved to California after graduating with an engineering degree where she met her husband, Bruce. While living in Santa Ana Heights, we bought two racehorses and kept them in our backyard. We rode every chance we could. After our first child was born, we decided horses were too much work, so we moved to Huntington Beach. There, we had our second child, Jamie, who has severe developmental delays and autism. It wasn't until after our third child was born that I heard about the Therapeutic Riding Center. Jamie started riding with TRC at about 8 years old. She flourished. Pretty soon I was a sidewalker and horse leader. Ten years later, she is a board member and instructor. Her entire family is involved with this unbelievable program. They all have volunteered and have helped with the fundraisers. She has seen first hand what this program can do for children and adults with all different types of disabilities. It builds confidence and self-esteem where there is usually little, as well as the obvious benefits of hippotherapy.
