Profile
Equine Assisted Therapy, Inc. has one sole purpose: to provide horsemanship experiences to persons with mental, physical, and psychological challenges in order to enhance the quality and productivity of their lives.
Equine-Assisted Therapy, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing therapeutic horseback riding activities for individuals with disabilities within the St. Louis area. In 1999, Ginni Hartke embarked on a 4.5 year journey through mountains of paperwork to create Equine-Assisted Therapy. Throughout the years, Ginni and her husband Gary have worked tirelessly alongside hundreds of volunteers to create the thriving and effective program that you see today.
EAT is a member of PATH International – (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) and Spirithorse International. Participants, excluding US Veterans and foster children) are charged a small fee that covers less than 33 percent of our operating cost. Funding for this program comes from fund raisers, special events, individual and corporate donations and grants. We also maintain a scholarship fund, supported by dedicated fundraising and donations, for those participants who are unable to pay the class fee due to financial hardship. We do not turn any participant away due to financial status.
An integrated team of PATH and/ or Spirithorse certified instructors and trained volunteers work with the rider and horse to promote the success, the freedom, and the dignity that can be experienced through therapeutic horsemanship.
Our board consists of:
- Mary Piccirilli – President
- Becky Hadfield – Vice President
- Dia Taylor – Secretary
- Scott Johnson – Treasurer
- Lulu Bogolin – Executive Director
- Larry Anderson – Member
Equine-Assisted Therapy, Inc. has two convenient locations to better serve St. Louis county and surrounding areas:
1. Our primary facility headquarters & office location: 3369 Highway 109, Wildwood, MO 63038
2. Our secondary facility location (operating April-September): Longview Farm Park, Town & Country, MO