Proposed Equestrian Therapy Center to Open in New Hartford

        Sitrin Health Care Center in New Hartford has a new plan to build an equestrian therapy center on its campus.  They're partnering with The Root Farm, who already does this type of therapy, and the Upstate Cerebral Palsy/Kelberman Center. The center will be an expansion of The Root Farm, where equine-assisted therapy has been active for 14 years.  The new center will use horses in therapy and recreational activities for a diverse population - including children and adults with disabilities, veterans, and at-risk youth.  Once created, it's supposed to hold up to 20 horses and create job opportunities for those in various therapy- related professions.  Dr. Alice Root of The Root Farm emphasized the great success and impact of this type of therapy.  "Even in a single session to see the difference in not only mental attitude but physical is profound," Root said.  She says the therapy can be physically, emotionally, and psychologically healing. The center is currently in the proposal stage and the Root Farm, Sitrin, and the Kelberman Center will now start looking for funding.  If all goes as planned, the center should open in 2013.