MINNESOTA PROGRAMS
FOR RIDERS WITH
DISABILITIES
April, 2012
NOTE:
This listing does not indicate approval or recommendation of any program by the Minnesota Horse Council. These are self-reports from the programs. Be sure you research a program that you are interested in. The PATH Intl. programs are usually non-profit. EAGALA profit programs are usually for profit, and some do take some insurances.
PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, formerly NARHA) has a national certification of programs & instructors for riders with physical disabilities & mental health/developmental issues.
EAGALA: (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association). National certification of programs & instructors for riders who have mental health/developmental issues (ground work only).
Unless it’s stated that a program has an indoor arena, assume that it has only an outdoor arena.
PATH Intl. (Formerly NARHA) Affiliated Programs:
COURAGE RIDERS :
Gay Soltis (651-351-2315). Affiliated with Courage St. Croix. Lessons offered to children (up to age 18) who have physical and sensory integration disabilities. Located at Washington County Fairgrounds. Indoor arena. Lessons offered April-October. PATH Intl. certified instructor. Non-profit.
EQUUL ACCESS, INC.:
Marsha Anderson, 13769 Pheasant Rd., Hutchinson, MN, 55350 (320-234-7895). Email: info@equulaccess.org. Web: www.equulaccess.org. Equul Access offers equine-assisted activities for individuals with disabilities in the McLeod County area. Three 8-week sessions offered from April through October. Indoor arena. PATH Intl. Premier Accredited center instructors. Non-profit.
FORGET-ME-NOT FOUNDATION :
Kathy Thompson, P.O. Box 106, Nashwauk, MN., 55769 (218-885-3663) www.fmnfride.org email: fmnfride@northlc.com. Program is located between Hibbing and Grand Rapids. Serves riders who have physical or mental disability. Year round. Indoor arena, accessible playground with the only wheelchair-accessible swing in Minnesota. PATH Intl. certified instructor. Non-profit.
FREEDOM FARM:
Susie Bjorklund, 11500 Furman Ave. SW, Waverly, MN, 55390 (952-955-2505). www.freedomfarmmn.org
Email: info@freedomfarmmn.org. Program serves children and adults who have physical, mental, and emotional challenges as well as active & veteran military service members. Healing with Horses program for female war veterans. Year-round. Indoor arena. PATH Intl. Premier Accredited center & instuctor. Non-profit.
HEALTH DIRECTED RIDING :
Rhonda Mostrom, PO Box 335, Grandy, MN, 55029 (612-247-9582) www.healthdirectedriding.org email: rkmostrom@hotmail.com. Program located in Cambridge, MN. Therapeutic horseback riding opportunities are offered to children and adults who have disabilities, while promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being. May-October. PATH Intl. certified instructor. Non-profit.
HOLD YOUR HORSES:
Janet Weisberg, OTR, 5120 Colonial Dr, Golden Valley, MN 55416 (763-595-7112) www.holdyourhorses.org, email: janet@holdyourhorses.org. Therapy practice provids equine-assisted services to improve quality of life, specializing in hippotherapy. Program Director is a board member of the American Hippotherapy Assn. Site is in Independence, MN. Mon-Thu days. Heated indoor arena, year-round. PATH Intl. certified instructors. Non-profit.
JACK PINE STABLES:
Kristine Oppegaard, 9875 Jack Pine Hills Tr, Walker, MN, 56484 (218-547-2720). Program serves children & adults who have physical & mental disabilities. Serves north central Minn. Jun-Oct. Indoor arena. PATH Intl. certified instructor. Non-profit.
MN VALLEY RIDING ACADEMY at LEE-MAR RANCH EQUINE CENTER:
Jerry Ims, PO Box 151,5328 State Hwy 212 W, Granite Falls, MN 56241 (320-564-2310, 320-226-3349), www.lee-marranch.com, lmrec@mvtvwireless.com. Main focus is on equine assisted riding for individuals with physical, mental, or behavioral challenges. Instructors (3) in training for PATH Intl. certification. Spring-fall. Indoor & outdoor arenas. Non-profit.
MAJESTIC HILLS RANCH:
Kris Zieska, 24580 Dakota Ave., New Market, MN, 55044 (952-426-5688), kzieska@majestichillsranch.com www.majestichillsranch.org. Serving children and young adults with special needs as well as military veterans in rehabilitation. PATH Intl. certified instructors, EAGALA certified instructor. Spring-fall. Non-profit.
MIRACLE HORSE RIDERS, INC.:
Candy Esterberg, 12373 485th Ave., Parkers Prairie, MN, 56361 (320-766-2994, 218-267-5216). Miracle Horse Riders provides therapeutic riding lessons to children and adults who have physical or mental disabilities. May-Oct. Indoor arena. PATH Intl. certified instructor. Non-profit. (Not updated)
MOUNTED EAGLES:
Lynn Fairbanks, P.O. Box 566, Nisswa, MN 56468, (218-828-9920, 218-454-3228). Facility located at Spirit Horse Center in Brainerd, MN. www.mountedeagles.org email: info@mountedeagles.org. Lessons offered to children and adults with physical, emotional and/or mental disabilities. Focus on self-esteem. Year-round. Indoor arena. PATH Intl. Premier Accredited center & instructors. Non-profit.
NORTH COUNTRY R.I.D.E. :
North Country R.I.D.E., PO Box 312, Esko, MN, 55733 (218-879-7608) www.ncride.org, email: ncride@gmail.com. Program serves Duluth and greater northeastern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin area. Riding sessions run from April through October in six week segments. R.I.D.E.’s goal is to provide safe, therapeutically sound, goal-oriented riding sessions through the cooperation of physicians, therapists, educators, instructors and volunteers. All disabilities considered, with ages ranging from 4 to 82 years to date. Indoor arena. PATH Intl. certified instructors. Non-profit.
PROJECT A.S.T.R.I.D.E. :
Clare Palmquist, P.O. Box 873, St. Joseph, MN, 56374 (320-468-2524) www.astride.org, email: info@astride.org. Program serves the St. Cloud and central Minnesota area. Project A.S.T.R.I.D.E. provides a community based recreational horseback riding experience for children and adults with disabilities. Riding sessions run from April through October in eight-week sessions. The program strives to meet the individual physical and social needs of its riders. Indoor/outdoor arena and trails. PATH Intl. Premier Accredited center & Advanced instructor and registered instructor. Non-profit.
RIDEABILITY:
Jeanne Michelizzi, P.O. Box 995, Pine Island, MN, 55963 (507-356-8154) www.rideability.org, email: rideability@yahoo.com. Serves riders with physical, mental and emotional disabilities and their siblings. Family centered approach. A goal is to integrate the riders with able-bodied riders. Apr-Oct. PATH Intl. Certified instructors. Indoor arena. Non-profit.
RIDERS OF VICTORY:
Crystal Sorenson, 1428 Pathfinder Ln NW, Solway, MN, 56678 (218-759-9139) Program is for children and adults who have physical and mental disabilities. Geared toward (but not limited to) independent riders. Also preparation for Special Olympics. May-Sep. PATH Intl. instructor certification pending. Non-profit.
RIDING ON ANGELS’ WINGS:
Bette Shipley, 5062 120th Ave N, Felton, MN 56536 (218-359-0007) (north of Moorhead) www.ridingonangelswings.org, email: execdirectorROAW@aol.com. Hippotherapy, therapeutic sport riding, and equine facilitated learning, offered to people ages 2-18 with physical and mental disabilities. PATH Intl. certified instructor. Indoor arena. Spring-Fall. Non-profit.
RISING STARS THERAPEUTIC EQUITATION:
Robin Scholl, Brian Leet, 10345 Hilton Rd., Little Falls, MN, 56345 (Robin: 320-632-2152, Brian: 763-689-5291). Email rising@northlc.com. www.rstherapeuticequitationinc.org. Program serves people with emotional, mental, and/or behavioral challenges. RPT and OTR. Program includes riding and driving, and groundwork. May-October. PATH Intl. certified instructors. Non-profit.
RIVER VALLEY RIDERS:
Joan Berg, 260 S. 4th St., Bayport, MN, 55003 (651-439-2558) www.rivervalleyriders.org, email: rjberg@centurytel.net. A program started by experienced instructors and volunteers. Program serves children and adults with physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities. Located in Scandia, Afton, and western Wisc. Apr – Oct. PATH Intl. certified instructors. Non-profit.
SHARADISE THERAPEUTIC FOUNDATION:
Shari Mangas, OTR, 10922 Bolton Ave. NW, Monticello, MN, 55362 (763-360-4117, 763-878-2769) email: smangas@ hotmail.com see Sharadise Therapeutic Foundation on facebook. Primarily group and private lessons for children and adults who have physical and/or mental disabilities. Services offered: occupational therapy, hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and Horses for Heroes: program for veterans. Instructor is a PATH Intl. certified instructor and occupational therapist certified to do hippotherapy. Heated indoor arena- year round lessons. Non-profit.
SPECIAL RECREATIONAL SERVICES::
Michael Oldfield, 10590 90th Ave. SE, Lake Lillian, MN, 56253. (320-220-0940) Program serves children and adults who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities, as well as at-risk youth. Year round. Indoor arena. PATH Intl. certified instructor. Non-profit.
TALK N TROT:
Cody Granda, LAMFT, 6041 Gettysburg Ave N, New Hope, MN, 55428 (763-370-4795, 612-321-TROT) email: codygranda@gmail.com. www.talk-n-trot-horse-therapy.weebly.com Program for mental health & developmental disability issues. PATH Intl. instructor certified in mental health. Year-round.
VICTORY RIDERS:
Shelly DeRosier, 21315 Territorial Rd, Rogers, MN, 55374 (612-805-6279) victoryriders@hotmail.com. Program offers lessons to people with physical and mental disabilities, as well as people with mental illness. PATH Intl. certified instructor. Apr-Nov. Indoor arena. Non-profit.
WE CAN RIDE, INC. :
Brad Thorsen, P.O. Box 1102, Minnetonka, MN, 55345, (952-934-0057) www.wecanride.org, email: office@wecanride.org. Provides equine-assisted activities and driving lessons to persons of all ages with physical, cognitive, and emotional/ behavioral disabilities. Lessons offered January through October. Five sites: Minnetonka (riding & hippotherapy), Marine on St. Croix (riding), Delano (driving, riding, & hippotherapy), and U of Mn Equine Center St. Paul (riding & hippotherapy), new Germany (riding). Classes offered evenings and Saturday mornings. Indoor arena. PATH Intl. certified instructors & PATH Intl. Premier Accredited center. Non-profit.
EAGALA Affiliated Programs:
Acres for Life:
Lynn Moore, LADC, Box 831, Lindstrom, MN 55045 (651-353-2860) Instructor is EAGALA Advanced certified & licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor working with adults & children who have experienced chemical dependency, mental health issues, fetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, trauma, abuse, grief & loss. Site in Chisago. Covered arena.
BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS PLUS P.A.:
Dr. Jean Johnson, LP, 1301 Corporate Center Dr, Suite 116, Eagan, MN 55121 (651-905-1814). Mostly works with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Site in Inver Grove Heights. EAGALA-certified Instructor.
CENTAUR Healing Center:
Sharon Davern, LP, LMFT, sharondavern@ymail.com. Web: www.centaurhealingcenter.com EAGALA-certified staff working with therapeutic groups for kids 8-12, women who have experienced domestic violence, PTSD (especially veterans). Aso team-building and leadership training. Indoor arena. Year round. Site in Eyota (Rochester area).
Cross P Ranch:
Michelle Pickel, 1225 W Rondeau Lk Dr, Forest Lake, MN 55025 (651-343-5016) Web: www.croswpranch.com pickle@csp.edu Instructor is a college professor at Concordia College and EAGALA-certified. H.P.R. program is for children & adults and focuses on emotional/behavioral issues that cause reading problems. Strategise that would be used in the classroom are used with horses. Site in Lino Lakes.
Eagle Vista Ranch:
Liz Letson, 16150 Golden Eagle Court NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218-760-0656) Web: www.eaglevistaranch.com eaglevistaranch@gmail.com. Facilitator has masters degree in counseling and is certified by EAGALA. Population includes all ages including EBD & people at risk. Focused on strength-based activities. Access to indoor arena.
ERIK’S RANCH:
7712 Gleason Rd, Edina, MN 55439 (612-396-7829). Web: www.eriksranch.org. Lessons offered to people ages 4-35 who have physical & mental disabilities. Site in Plymouth, Rolling Ridge Farm. Operates April through November. EAGALA-certified Instructor. Non-profit.
Hillside HOPE Thru Hooves:
Terry & Angel Bateman, 14179 55th St. NE, St. Michael, MN 55376, 612-840-5366, 763-238-7283, www.hillsidehopethruhooves.com info@ hillsidehopethruhooves.com. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning for individual, families, and groups with behavioral or emotional issues, working on communication and teamwork. Year-round. EAGALA certified instructor. Non-profit.
HOPE RANCH:
Kit Muellner, LICSW, 6005 Salem Rd SW, Rochester, MN, 55902 (507-281-3033) www.hoperanchteam.com, hoperanch@dmbroadband.com. Equine-assisted psychotherapy that addresses many mental health and human development needs through ground work with horses. Facilitator is Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, EAGALA certified.
HORSES HELPING HUMANS:
Shannon Bruce, (763-479-9970) www.southernvalleyalliance.org/hhhm shannonbruce@frontiernet.net. Clients are domestic abuse survivors. Sponsored by the Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women. Site at Leatherdale Center, U of Mn St. Paul. EAGALA certified. Non-profit.
MIDNIGHT SUN ENTERPRISES LLC:
Kerry Severson, 11050 Manning Ave S, Hastings, MN, 55033 (612-590-4687) www.midnightsunenterprises.net, email: info@midnightsunenterprises.net. Equine assisted psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups at private horse facility. Focused on personal growth and awareness for individuals and groups who have various mental health and relationship issues. Programs for business, corporations, and veterans also available. Indoor arena. EAGALA certified staff.
ON TRACK FOR LIFE:
Pat Wagner, (651-2705611) pwgner@ontrackforlife.com. Equine assisted learning for teams & corporations to improve communication, problem solving, effectiveness, decision making & leadership development. Local site in Independence, MN but she works all over the country. EAGALA certified.
QUIET WATERS COUNSELING:
Jill Dahmen, P.O. Box 404, Little Falls, MN, 56345 (320-630-6422) quietwaterscounseling.com Faith based program serving teens & adults who experience abuse, trauma, marriage problems, depression & anxiety. Instructor is EAGALA certified. Equine assisted learning and psychotherapy.
STABLE THINKING:
Laraine Lekander, 2590 Cty Rd 139, Barnum, MN, 55707 (218-390-1707) ADRServicesmn@dishmail.net. Equine assisted psychotherapy & equine assisted learning. Program works with individuals, families, and workplaces. EAGALA certified staff.
Indoor arena available.
TRUE BALANCE:
Dr. Leslie Russell-Martin (LMFT, PhD, LP), 16016 233rd St, Little Falls, MN, 56345, (218-831-1871) www.truebalancefarm.com email: info@truebalancefarm.com. Offers outpatient mental health services for children, individuals, couples, & families. EAGALA certified staff. Indoor arena. Year-round.
WISDOM HORSE COACHING:
Lynn Baskfield, (612-823-7022) EAGALA certified instructor. Equine experiences geared toward corporate clients, retreats, workshops and mid-life women. Also offers a year-long course teaching people to teach these concepts. Various sites.
Other Programs:
AGAPÉ RIDING CENTER:
David & Jill Spellman, 24474 361st Ave, Henderson, MN 56044, 612-581-8924, david@agaperidingcenter.com, www.agaperidingcenter.com. Services to people ages 5 & up with physical, mental, & emotional challenges. Access to heated indoor arena & trails. Year-round. Non-profit.
CAMP COURAGE:
(Courage Center), 8046 83rd St NW, Maple Lake, MN, 55358 (763-588-0811). www.couragecenter.org/camp. Campers at Camp Courage are able to participate in activities not otherwise available to them, including an introduction to horseback riding, family horse camp is also offered. The program tries to link campers who wish to pursue riding with on-going programs. Serves those who are physically disabled, speech and hearing impaired, and children who have cancer. Camp located in Maple Lake, MN. Summer only. Non-profit.
CLOVERDALE FARM:
Sue Hancock or Donna Lundell, 45527 Brunswick Rd, Staunchfield, MN 55080 (763-689-5335). A training site for Special Olympics. Also offers 4-H program for kids who have disabilities. All ages.
FREE WINDS:
Lynn Richert, 28131 Clear Lake Rd, Richmond, MN, 56368 (320-597-3312) Program provides very individualized riding & EAGALA-type experiences for people who have been bullied, have developmental delay, autism, seizure disorder, All one-on-one. Ages 7+. May-Oct. Indoor arena. Non-profit. No cost.
HOPE RIDES:
Vollie Heitkamp, 12801 DoLittle Dr, Minnetonka, MN, 55305 (612-310-6350) www.hoperides.org, info@hoperides.org. . Two sites: Mayer & Stacy, MN (both have indoor arenas). Lessons offered to at risk kids, kids in foster care & shelters, Terminally ill kids, kids who need mentoring. Interaction between horse and human to develop life skills. May-Dec. non-profit.
IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH.
BJ Stoppelmoor, 7291 County Road 6 SW, Stewartville, MN 55976 (507-533-9933) email: wrangler@ironwoodsprings.com. Program is designed for people with physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities. Indoor arena. Non-profit. (not updated.)
NATURAL CONNECTIONS LEARNING CENTER: (Formerly MN-LINC)
(Ceasing operations as of 12/31/2012)
Tanya (Welsh) Bailey (LICSW), 1616 Watson Ave, St. Paul, MN 55116, 952-472-2422. info@naturalconnectionslearningcenter.org, www.naturalconnectionslearningcenter.org. Our mission is to promote cultivating life skills through building restorative connections with animals, nature, and expressive arts. A focus is connection with self, others, and the environment & community supports. Natural connections with animals includes interacting with horses for wellness, therapy, education, and professional development. Lessons and groundwork offered to individuals, families and groups who have emotional/mental disabilities. Indoor arena. Non-profit.
PJS RIDING AND MUSIC SERVICES:
Pat Jensen School of Horsemanship, located at Mill Creek Farm in Buffalo, MN (763-477-4764). PJS serves children and adults who have autism, developmental delay, physical disability, ADD, learning disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, as well as civic and recreational groups, day campers and other individuals and groups of all ages with varying disabilities and special problems. The PJS experience includes riding and music therapy designed to meet many different psychological and physical needs of riders. Primarily private lessons, but some group activities available. Vaulting is sometimes used as a therapeutic modality. Indoor arena.
SCHOENBAUER’S COUNTRY CORRAL::
Pam Schoenbauer, 24435 Drexel Ave, New Prague, MN 56071. (952-758-2560 / 612-501-1869) Special Olympics training site.
SPECIAL HORSES FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE::
Laurie Running, 1225 Lincoln Ave S, Owatonna, MN, 55060. (507-451-9769) email: add_steele@hotmail.com. A program of Advocates for Developmental Disabilities serving Steele & Waseca counties for physically /developmentally disabled clients of all ages. Program is located at Waseca County Fairgrounds. Summer only. Non-profit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
PATH International, Inc., PO Box 33150, Denver, CO 80233 (1-800-369-7433).
Website: www.pathintl.org
EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), P.O. Box 993, Santaquin, UT 84655 (877-858-4600). www.eagala.org
Prepared by: Trina Joyce, Minnesota Horse Council, (612-729-7798), trina-joyce@MnHorseCouncil.org
Please contact Trina if you have updated information or know of any additional programs.