DONATION SPOTLIGHT: January, 2020: Equus Therapeutic

We’ve partnered with a really special organization to kick off the new year!

Equus Therapeutic was founded in 1982 by Marcia Gross, with encouragement from her husband Larry at their family owned farm, Oakhollow in Williamstown, MA.  Equus now resides at Whispering Pines Farm in Lanesboro, MA.

They offer a variety of equine assisted programs allowing them to serve 50-70 participants yearly, 2-4 staff members, 4 equine therapeutic partners and over 50 dedicated volunteers.

Programs Include:

Therapeutic Riding

Mounted lessons, taught by our caring Licensed instructors can have significant impact on core strength, muscle tone and spatial awareness. Horsemanship skills including grooming and saddling, in addition to riding build confidence, mutual trust, respect for others, foster communication and affection and promote emotional growth and empathy. Weekly sessions are based on specific goals fostering progressive results.  Strategies change as riders grow and goals change.

Therapeutic Driving

Learning to direct a horse while sitting in a cart behind a horse offers another way for those unable to ride to benefit from the equine experience. Horsemanship skills in addition to learning to harness and hook a horse to a cart are components to this exciting riding alternative. Learning to drive a horse can improve communication, eye/hand coordination, spatial awareness and mutual trust.

We’ve put donation jars at the registers in the dispensary for the month of January.  Every dollar raised during the month, Berkshire Roots will match the donation amount!