This summer, Heinz History Center was packed for a Red Cross event honoring those who exemplify the values of humanitarianism, including Anne Davis, executive director of Horses with Hope, a 501c3 non-profit.
Anne and her husband Joel began their journey in equine therapy 20+ years ago for a very personal reason. At 40, Anne learned she was pregnant with their daughter, Jamie, who would be born with Down syndrome.
Through her research, Anne discovered the benefits of therapeutic riding for the special needs community. She left a 20-year career in the airline industry to pursue studies in therapeutic riding and founded Horses with Hope: Discovery, Growth and Learning Programs.
What began as a modest operation with three students has grown into a year-round program serving hundreds of individuals with diverse needs from Mt. Lebanon, the South Hills and beyond.
A young boy, Emmett, was one of Anne’s first riders. Emmett’s parents turned to Horses with Hope when the standard therapies fell short. At the time, Emmett was non-verbal and unable to walk. After four lessons in therapeutic riding, though, he began to walk! He continues in the program today.
The history of Horses with Hope is filled with stories that demonstrate the potential of therapeutic riding and equine-assisted therapy. These programs develop motor skills, build confidence and create emotional healing by tapping into the emotional and physical connections between a horse and a rider. For every stride of a horse, for example, there is a full rotation of the rider’s hips that improves torso control. Sitting upright opens airways, improving speech and digestion. Horses with Hope’s certified professionals integrate gross and fine motor skills, as well as balance, into the programs.
Board member Raymond Perr of Mt. Lebanon said, “It’s been an honor to witness the improvement of the hundreds of clients we have had the privilege to serve over the years, as well as our incredible volunteers. These are truly special people.”
Upper St. Clair’s Tim Gagne, a four-year Horses with Hope volunteer, echoes that sentiment. “I think I get as much out of it as our riders do. Our family feels very strongly that it’s a privilege and responsibility to help others. And when I see the deep emotion on the riders’ parents’ faces, especially when their child exceeds what they were previously thought to be capable of … I know I’ve chosen the best place to make an impact in the community.”
The road to making a profound impact in the community can start with the journey of one child. For more information on how you can make an impact on special needs children in Mt. Lebanon and surrounding towns, visit horseswithhope.org [1].