Nonprofit Organization Management - Brewster, New York, United States
In the fall of 1974, a small group of equestrian women began exploring the effectiveness of therapeutic riding, which had a long and successful history in Europe. They decided to establish a similar program to serve people with special needs in Fairfield County. In September 1975, the first Pegasus therapeutic riding sessions began at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Connecticut.Today Pegasus is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center with three chapters throughout Putnam and Fairfield counties, including Pegasus Farm, our 20-acre permanent facility in Brewster, N.Y. PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) establishes industry standards for program safety, instructor training and certification, and insurance provisions.Our PATH-certified instructors, physical therapists, occupational therapists and licensed educators provide equine-assisted activities to people with special needs and individuals at risk, including disadvantaged youth, trauma survivors and adults with developmental disabilities. Serving more than 250 students ages four and up each year, we offer therapeutic horseback riding and unmounted equine-assisted activities. We also launched Pegasus Patriots, an equine-assisted program for veterans.