08/17/2025
Did you know about?
NDSU Bison Strides
Interview with Jessie Bailey, NDSU Bison Strides Program Assistant
This month, we are featuring NDSU Bison Strides!
What is NDSU Bison Strides?
NDSU Bison Strides is an Equine Assisted Services (EAS) program that is run out of the department of Animal Sciences at NDSU. We partner folks with cognitive, physical, and social emotional challenges with horses to improve strength, resiliency, independence, and more!
How do people participate in your services?
We offer services to Veteran and active duty military service members, adults and children with disabilities, and youth with social emotional, and behavioral challenges. We have both ground based and mounted session with lesson plans catered to each participants’ individual needs. For those who may not want to work directly with the horses, we have options for participants to help with barn maintenance and outreach tasks!
What kind of changes have you seen in participants?
We have seen countless positive changes in our participants. From better physical mobility, to increased word use, and cognitive response, as well as a major boosts in confidence.
Can I volunteer?
We are always in need of volunteers! There is no horse experience necessary and we host volunteer trainings before each 6 week session. We post about these trainings on our Facebook and Instagram. We could not do what we do and serve such a large population without our life changing volunteers!
What else should we know about Bison Strides?
We try to have something for everyone! We just want everyone to get to experience the therapeutic power of the horse. Check out https://www.bisonstrides.org/ for more information. Don’t be afraid to reach out. We’d love to tell you more about us!
