Annual Appeal

For more than two decades, EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program has provided therapeutic riding to thousands of special needs individuals. Our sister program, EQUI-VETS, provides equine assisted activities to service men and women injured in the line of duty AT NO COST in honor of their service and sacrifice . . . thanks to the generosity of donors who share in our mission to offer freedom from disability.

We have grown to become Virginia’s largest accredited equine riding program that benefits the special needs community. With 18 horses providing therapy to a diverse group of nearly 100 riders each week, our program offers support to individuals with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, mental and physical disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and more. Below is just one of the hundreds of stories EQUI-KIDS makes possible every day:

My daughter has a rare syndrome called cardioFacioCutaneous. She is only able to speak approximately eight ‘words.’ One of those words is ‘yeah yeah’ which to her means horse. My daughter was on the wait list for EQUI-KIDS for several years and when I received the call that she could begin to participate, I was so excited. I silently hoped and prayed that this experience would be a rich one for her. My prayers were answered.

The program has been one of the best things that has ever touched her life. She doesn’t have the luxury of speech, but she always finds joy at EQUI-KIDS. It is one activity that truly makes her world a better place. — L. Hughes, mother

What was once a list of more than 350 individuals waiting to enter our program is now a wait list of ZERO, thanks to the support of donors like you.

We value every dollar we receive, and we remain tremendously grateful for any gift you might be able to provide to help us sustain our services.

Because our organization is debt-free, every penny of every dollar you give allows us to maintain and expand our program outreach to support hundreds of special needs individuals in Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina.

Over the past 24 months we have felt the impact of the economy on charitable giving, and we understand the toll it has taken on everyone’s ability to give. During times like these when it grows increasingly difficult for families to make ends meet, it has an equally profound effect on charitable organizations such as ours.

This holiday season we need your help so that we can provide experiences that allow our rider’s ability to outshine their disability. On behalf of our riders and their families, like the Hughes family, we sincerely hope we can count on your support this holiday season by making a donation to support EQUI-KIDS and EQUI-VETS.

Jill A. Haag
Executive Director
EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program