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Awakening the Heart, Body, Mind, and Spirit
Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities (FTEA) is a not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) charitable organization founded for the express purpose of providing therapeutic equestrian activities for people with disabilities. The majority of FTEA program participants come to FTEA as individuals from the surrounding community. Others participate as part of groups from schools and other agencies. FTEA is unique in providing individualized horseback activities assisted by certified staff and trained volunteers for people of all ages who have a wide range of disabilities. FTEA staff members focus on participants’ abilities rather than disabilities in a safe and enjoyable environment. FTEA is located in Wayne, IL a western suburb of Chicago.
Adaptive Riding/
Mounted Horsemanship
FTEA’s mounted horsemanship program provides individuals ages four years and older the opportunity to learn to ride a horse to the best of their ability. Certified instructors teach group lessons focusing on strengths allowing participants to progress at their own rate in learning to ride as independently as possible. Instructors focus on safety and are assisted by trained volunteers.
Unmounted Horsemanship
FTEA’s unmounted horsemanship program provides individuals of all ages the opportunity to learn about and interact with horses from the ground for the purpose of developing skills such as grooming, leading, communicating with and caring for horses. Provided by a certified instructor in a group setting, this program offers a unique experience for all participants but also allows those who cannot ride an opportunity to participate in horsemanship classes.
Speech-Language Pathology Services
FTEA offers speech-language therapy incorporating a variety of treatment strategies, including those that involve the horse and equine movement (hippotherapy). This medical treatment is provided by a licensed speech-language therapist specially trained to include horses into her clinical practice. The therapist works individually with clients ages two years and older to address needs in areas such as speech sounds, stuttering, voice, receptive language (comprehension), expressive language, social-pragmatic language, and feeding skills. For additional information about hippotherapy, please visit the American Hippotherapy Association’s website: www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 566
Wayne, IL 60184
Program Site:
4N681 Munger Rd
Wayne, IL 60184