"Our son, Trevor, was born prematurely which resulted in significant brain damage. While Trevor has made remarkable advances, and we are certain, many of the things he does and enjoys could not have happened without the assistance of FTEA. The volunteers, the horses and instructors work with him, every week, to improve his stamina, balance, flexibility and coordination. In addition, they demand his full attention and challenge him mentally.

Trevor’s neurologist, Dr. Michael Chez, has voiced his amazement at the impact it has had on Trevor’s balance, and commented to us that he feels it is the most significant therapy for Trevor at this time. We wish to thank you and are so grateful to everyone who makes this program possible."

"One of my kids, a formerly neglected 5-year-old boy diagnosed as developmentally delayed in several areas, participated in your program for eight months. During this time he learned to walk and trot his horse, and slowly became more social with his peers.

Near the end of the experience, at my encouragement, he presented his instructor with a beautiful card in which he wrote how much he loved the horses and how much he loved his instructor. When the instructor shared the card with me I was elated. This child had never written a word before this card.”

"My 18 year old son, Joey, is autistic and has been riding with Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities since January, 1999.

FTEA's instructor, Corrie Schilling, and the volunteers' skill, patience and loving support have brought Joey a long way. At first it took a lot of convincing to get him on the horse but that has changed to where most of the time he is excited to ride. Joey and the horse seem to relate to each other and even though Joey is non-verbal by his behavior he shows he understands what is expected in the step-by-step procedures he needs to do to continue riding.

The most important benefit of the therapy is how happy Joey is while riding. The smile on his face is heart warming. There are few activities autistic adults and children are relaxed enough to be able to laugh, smile, relate to the horse and instructors and most important just have fun. This relating and happiness are great therapeutic accomplishments in working with autism.

For these reasons we will be making the trip to the stables for as long as this excellent therapy is available to us."

Though we signed up with FTEA with no expectations for Jennifer except exposing her to horseback riding and a fun afternoon of new experiences, I am amazed at the improvement, both physically and psychologically, that she achieved. FTEA has provided for her an opportunity to continue to grow and learn in a safe environment but also and opportunity to participate in a "real world" activity. For this I am very grateful.

Thank you to all of you for everything that you do for Jennifer and all the other participants in FTEA. You are doing great work and should be
commended."

"An African proverb says it takes a whole village to raise a child. For most people, this means having a variety of role models and a larger social structure to absorb a child. For us, parents of a child with autism and mental retardation, it means having people like the volunteers at the Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities instructing Ben. The volunteers and the horses lope along in hot and cold, rain or shine. This is so important as Ben is limited by his disability to only a few recreational activities. We are heartened by their commitment and dedication to Ben and children like him. Knowing that there are people like you to support Ben's efforts give us strength and fortitude in caring for Ben. This is especially important as the years pass-- we started your program in 1995--and Ben gets bigger.

We are glad Ben is getting the physical stimulation and variety of experience prescribed by his doctors and therapists. There is a clear improvement in his ability to sit for longer periods in the saddle with less hand flapping and other self- stimulation, and now to communicate "whoa" and "walk on" using the picture system you have developed. We realize what a unique program this is and how lucky we are to live near enough to your stable to benefit from it.

We thank you for your kindness, friendship, and efforts in being part of the village of special people raising our Ben. We are enclosing a check in honor of the volunteers and staff of Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities."

"I wanted to write to you to express my deep appreciation for your program and for what all of you do at FETA (sic).

My son Carson first came to FETA two years ago. When he started he had severe sensory integration disorder and dyspraxia, a motor planning disorder. He had proprioceptive challenges, which means he had difficulty grading his movements. For instance if asked to toss a ball he might throw it so hard it would hurt someone. He would fidget and wiggle and let's just say he was a very `spirited' child! He had difficulty crossing midline, meaning if he had to reach across his body, he couldn't do it, he would move the object or his body to reach it from the same side. He also had moderate speech difficulty. Dyspraxia is a motor planning disorder and he had a difficult time producing volitional and articulate speech.

The activities that he accomplished during riding made him stronger, improved his concentration, gave him confidence and developed his speech through practice. The combination of the riding with all of his other therapies allowed him to make huge gains in his recovery.

I will forever be grateful for what you and riding did for both of my children. When I came to you, I felt I was running out of time since I'm a firm believer in the earlier the treatment the better the gains, and I am thankful that we had the opportunity to experience your riding program and ultimately over the moon at the progress made because of it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to ALL of you and Professor and Flower and Molly and Doc and.........!!!"