GREENFIELD — Edelweiss Equine-Assisted Therapy has announced a new lead instructor for its Greenfield location.
Lindsay Fisher, who is certified as a riding instructor by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, will begin teaching classes the first week of May.
Fisher has a vibrant history with horses. She competed in reining and western pleasure, two types of horse show competitions, prior to earning her bachelor’s degree in animal sciences at Purdue University.
Fisher was also a 10-year 4-H member who mentored 4-H’ers as they prepared for horse shows. Most recently, Fisher graduated from the instructor-in-training program at Agape Therapeutic Riding Center.
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She hopes her lifelong experience with horses and background in animal sciences help her aid students in achieving their goals and inspire riders to grow into confident individuals through the horse-and-human partnerships Edelweiss provides, she said.
Fisher said it’s an opportunity that brings together her background in communications and horses to create an environment that brings out the best in her students.
She has a master’s degree in journalism and communications from Indiana University; she was a producer for WISH-TV and FOX 59 in Indianapolis before becoming a writer for the Kokomo Tribune and Indianapolis Monthly. Currently, she works at Hit Country 100.5 KI in Kokomo as an on-air co-host.
Her experiences in journalism will help her better connect with her students at Edelweiss, she said.
“I’ve wanted to be in this role since I was 16; however, I knew I needed to chase an opportunity to connect with people in different ways. I needed to see the world through the angles of the stories I covered. Those stories and the souls I interviewed have shaped me into a person, who can sincerely contribute to the perspective of our riders,” Fisher said. “Understanding is the most crucial tool we can use to connect with one another, and I can’t wait to use it with the Edelweiss family.”
Executive Director Cara Pfaff said Fisher is involved in helping the organization plan a strong summer program for students that will hopefully help them achieve their goals.
“We’re looking forward to applying the lesson plans Lindsay has created for our students,” Pfaff said. “[She] has a love for horses and students. She also has a creative energy that will make her lessons something that will truly spark the spirit in our riders. We’re thrilled to see it come to life at Edelweiss.”
Fisher’s lessons focus on confidence-building techniques that empower riders to embrace their inner and outer strengths by achieving a goal each lesson, something she put into practice at Agape Therapeutic Center.
“I’ve learned from my work with kids that kids are capable of much more than their minds may allow them to imagine. My job is to facilitate the activities that let them discover who they truly are and the power that comes with that,” Fisher said.
Edelweiss is a nonprofit organization and a PATH Certified therapeutic riding center designed to help students overcome the challenges from physical and cognitive disabilities. The organization was founded in 1995 by Elisa Bell and offers an annual summer camp, in addition to weeknight classes May through October.
