Issue Four- February 2021:

By Mercedes Barreto

Horses With A Mission is a PATH Intl Center, geared toward helping individuals with special needs. They have 8 therapy horses that are unique and are able to help each student differently. Their facility provides equine-assisted activities to all ages. They strive to help those who have both physical and mental disabilities achieve their goals. When they first meet a new potential student, they like to have them meet all of our horses and see who they have a connection with. They then like to talk to the student and get to know them and what they are looking for out of their therapy lessons and then they match them with one of their horses. Each one of their horses is special in its own way and helps those who need it.

Sometimes the horse picks the rider and that is really interesting to see.

What are some new advancements at Horses With A Mission, which you are proud to present to your community and to the world?

“Horses With A Mission recently changed locations and has partnered with another local nonprofit called Veterans Multi-Purpose Center and will be offering lessons for Veterans as well as children and adults with special needs. We hope to reach more people in our community with all of our new and exciting changes.”

Why is your organization so important and so vital to those who benefit from equine therapy? What is equine therapy?

“Our program offers a place for kids and adults to excel in everyday tasks that they didn’t think they could. Our horses offer a kind of comfort and encouragement that kids need. There is something about a horse that brings peace and a sense of calming to us. Our program is a place to try new things, to never give up. To teach people that everything is possible with the right help and determination. Equine Therapy helps promote physical and mental health through the use of horses.”

If words could describe the happiness and the joy that this brings you, what are three words?

“Fulfillment, peace, accomplishment.”

What were some obstacles that you and your team faced when getting to where HWAMFL is today?

“Our program has grown so much in the last 3 years, and we are excited to see where the next year takes us. In the past year, we have had to navigate Covid-19 and how to run our program safely and effectively. We recently changed locations due to program growth and added five new horses that needed additional training to our program. We are so excited about where we are today and what we have to offer our community. We can’t wait to see it grow even more.”

What is a message to someone who could very much utilize equine therapy, but does not know it yet? For someone who will use it in the future, unaware?

“My advice would be, to give it a try, step out of your comfort zone, you never know how much a horse could help you. Equine Therapy helps create a strong bond between you and your horse and make deep connections between you and the people helping you reach your goals.”

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