Honorable award: Taufkirchner Riding Club and founder honored!

Honorable award: Taufkirchner Riding Club and founder honored!

A big day for social commitment in Erding: On November 4, 2025, outstanding initiatives were awarded the Erding District Social Prize. The chairwoman of the Association for Therapeutic Riding in Taufkirchen, Sosa Balderanou, received this honor in a ceremonial setting. Your association, which has been active for almost 30 years, puts a lot of passion into helping people with disabilities. This is not just about riding, but about improving physical and mental health and promoting social integration through communication between humans and animals. The large community of around 70 members has set itself the goal of further expanding this valuable work, but is financed entirely from donations. Many people take advantage of the therapy sessions offered in the riding hall of the Taufkirchen riding and driving club, which is available free of charge.

Marlene Hohlbach, who launched the voluntary visiting service at Erding Clinic ten years ago, was also recognized. The service, known as “Green Ladies and Gentlemen,” brings not only time and care to patients, but also a sense of hope. The green work clothes of the volunteers represent this and mean a lot of relief for the clinic staff. These dedicated helpers not only offer patients a listening ear, but also take on small errands to make their stay in the hospital more humane.

A look at the award winners

The award of the social prize reflects the deep connection and support for social projects in the region. This year's winners, the Association for Therapeutic Riding and the "Green Ladies", are committed to community welfare in various ways and show how valuable volunteer work is. The work with children and adults, who are often confronted with major challenges in their everyday lives, is carried out by the carers with great sensitivity and dedication.

The speech during the award ceremony emphasized the importance of promoting and supporting such initiatives. The impact that these social services have on people is not only immediate; they also strengthen the sense of community in the region. The city of Erding and the district are behind these projects, and the positive response from the population shows that the commitment is very popular.

For many people, therapeutic measures and visits to the clinic are often bright spots in everyday life. Whether through the smile of a horse or the comforting words of a volunteer - these small moments of joy and humanity are priceless.