Animal-Assisted Therapy

Wilderwood’s flagship program is designed and led by people with autism. The adults with autism program is offered throughout the year in an immersive, week-long format, and is an equine-assisted curriculum that involves classroom coursework, individual and small-group discussion, reflective assignments, equine interaction, fieldwork, and a customized mentor-assisted plan to assist participants make and meet their individual goals. Wilderwood’s Equine Assisted program for children is an integrative approach drawn from multiple fields and disciplines. Adults with autism are active participants in the program as assistants, mentors, and role-models. The children with autism program is offered in eight-week sessions of 90 minutes/week three times a year.

Horsin' Around Therapeutic Riding Center helps children and adults reach their full ability through equine-facilitated programs. Therapeutic riding is using the movement of the horse to influence the rider's strength, posture, balance, coordination, motor planning, head and trunk control, speech, sensory integration, fine motor skills, and many others. Horsin' Around has received our 501(c)3 non-profit status and the center depends on contributions from outside sources to enable our economically disadvantaged riders to participate.

Provides therapeutic riding programs. Individual and group riding for individuals with special needs.

The NMSU Therapeutic Riding (TR) Program consists of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) that are designed to improve the quality of life for people of different ages and abilities by using horsemanship programs and outdoor experiential education to develop confidence, self-worth, and active community participation. These EAATs can help children and adults with physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges gain strength and independence. EAATs help people from all backgrounds and walks of life in a variety of ways, including increasing strength and flexibility, improving motor skills, promoting speech and cognitive reasoning, and building relationships and social skills.

The New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding (NMCTR) provides instruction in riding and horsemanship with the goal of expanding the cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills and well-being of individuals with special needs. NMCTR holds several eight-week sessions yearly, as well as a week-long summer camp, with individual and/or group riding lessons for persons with special needs. Students of all ages and abilities participate in the program. Instructors, who are certified by PATH Intl., develop a lesson plan that is specific to each individual’s needs and goals. In addition to serving persons with special needs, NMCTR also offers riding to seniors over 60.

Loving Thunder's mission is to empower and improve the quality of life for people with mental and physical challenges through therapeutic horsemanship, equine-assisted activities, and educational outreach to all. Loving Thunder is a 501 (c)3, a Premier Accredited Center through PATH, Intl. (Professional Assn. of Therapeutic Riding, Intl.), and the only PAC in the entire state of NM. Children ages 4 and up are eligible for services. We also serve Foster Children, At-Risk Youth, and Veterans. We accept private pay, Mi Via Waiver, and scholarships may be available.

Since 1999, Cloud Dancers has been a member center of PATH Int’l with all our instructors being PATH certified. Safety, fun, goal setting and learning are all significant parts of our programs. Individuals from 5-years-old through adulthood are eligible for services. Services include Recreational Horsemanship for people with disabilities and Therapeutic Horsemanship. Insurances that are accepted are Private pay and Mi Via Waiver. Scholarships may also be available for individuals.

Services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy to special needs children - specializing in the use of hippotherapy (equine movement) and equine assisted therapy activities. Provide American Hippotherapy Association approved educational courses in the use of hippotherapy as a treatment tool to professionals nation wide. Involved in research of the effectiveness of hippotherapy through the University of New Mexico. They have helped to establish the national standards of practice and accreditation process for therapists using hippotherapy as part of their clinical practice.

Eligibility/Ages: Typically children < 85 lbs.

Services: Using Equine movement as part of Speech Therapy, aka Hippotherapy

Insurance Accepted: Molina, Presbyterian, Blue Cross/Blue Shield

Other: Spanish speaking

​​​KidsBridge provides Occupational and Speech Therapy to individuals, especially children from 2-15 years old, with a variety of diagnoses including Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asperger's, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Down's Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress, developmental Coordination Disorder, and other developmental delays. Kidsbridge Therapy offers Equine movement as part of Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, aka Hippotherapy. KidsBridge accepts Presbyterian, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Molina, and Centennial Care Medicaid and Presbyterian, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Molina MCOs. Other: Facility therapy dog also a treatment option

We use Equine movement as part of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, aka Hippotherapy. Eligible from ages 3 to adulthood. Initial screening to determine eligibility. We accept Presbyterian, DD Waiver, Mi Via Waiver, Private Pay, and Centennial Care/Medicaid MCO Presbyterian insurance.

Dogwood Therapy provides dog training services, occupational and other therapy services, integrated programming for individuals, and integrated activities, classes, and programs.

Though PATH Intl. began with a focus on horseback riding as a form of physical and mental therapy, the organization and its dedicated members have since developed a multitude of different equine-related activities for therapeutic purposes, collectively known as equine-assisted services. Besides horseback riding, EAS also includes therapeutic carriage driving, interactive vaulting, equine-assisted learning, ground work and stable management, and PATH International Equine Services for Heroes®, which uses a variety of EAS disciplines specifically to help war veterans and military personnel. In addition, many PATH Intl. volunteer-driven committees are working on identifying and refining even more disciplines and activities that might be put to use in the world of EAS.

A nonprofit helping children who face social, emotional or educational challenges with the help of animal assisted therapy, school visits and assistance dog placements. Serves children whose challenges range from autism to serious medical conditions to grief over the loss of a parent.

Prepares and places fully trained dogs with approved disabled recipients.

Types of Assistance Dogs:

• Autism
• Hearing
• Mobility
• Psychiatric Service
• Seizure Alert
• Diabetic Alert

It costs over $38,000 to train and place a Service Dog. Involvement in fundraising is voluntary. No out-of-pocket costs for recipients. 

Provides direct assistance to pediatric patients and their families. The Mother's Milk Bank collects, processes, and provides donor human milk to babies nationwide. Information on how to receive milk can be found online.
The Stink Bug Project supports families who have a child diagnosed with a serious medical condition.
The Stink Bug Project, in partnership with the prison-trained K-9 Program at Colorado Correctional Industries, matches well-trained, loving companion dogs with families throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

Call Lee Shaughnessy 720.507.0907 to determine if your client qualifies.

Provides global standard and certification for equine therapy programs. Involves a team approach that includes a licensed, credentialed Mental Health Professional, a qualified Equine Specialist, and horses working together with the client in an arena at all times.

See website to find a local Eagala Model Program.