Equine Therapy for Children and Adults with Special Needs

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Therapeutic Riding program illustrates the meaning of the Center’s creed, “People helping animals and animals helping people.” Our program is dedicated to serving riders with special needs through equine-assisted activities. Students, ages 4 and up, interact with specially trained horses year-round in weekly lessons to enhance physical, cognitive, social-emotional and motor skills. Additionally, we stress having fun in a safe and rewarding environment.

With input from parents, physicians, physical therapists and special education teachers, our experienced PATH certified staff members develop lesson plans to suit each of our riders short and long term goals.

The program is slowly bringing students back in thoughtful, careful phases, mindful of all CDC recommendations and government health orders. Visit our Sponsor A Therapy Horse page to support these amazing animals and help to preserve the program for years to come. Any amount helps!

Visit our YouTube page for some fun, educational videos created by our Therapeutic Riding team!

The Therapeutic Riding program would like to give a special thanks to the following organizations and individuals for their support:

• The Lucky Duck Foundation
• The Myers Family Foundation
• The Menard Foundation
• Charles & Ruth Billingsley Foundation
• Community Service Association San Diego Unified School District
• Employee Charitable Giving Organization of Northrop Grumman
• John & Beverly Stauffer Foundation
• National Charity League del Norte Chapter
• Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
• Samuel I. and John Henry Fox Foundation
• The Arthur and Jeanette Pratt Memorial Fund
• The Ray Kahler Foundation at Union Bank
• Torrey Pines Kiwanis Club
• Evergate Stables
• Roberta and Jed Cohen
• The Halicioglu Family Foundation
• The Country Friends