EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program

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Virginia Beach, VA
EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program

EQUI-KIDS | EQUI-VETS | EQUI-HEROES The organization is accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.)

EQUI-KIDS is changing lives, one stride at a time through the power of equine-assisted service for children & adults with special abilities, active duty & Veteran military service members, and first responders. EQUI-KIDS is a 501c3 organization that provides life-changing equine-assisted services (EAS) to a large and diverse community of children and adults with special needs in the Hampton Roads community. as a Premier Accredited Center. PATH Intl. is the international professional organization that sets the standards for the EAS industry and certifies credentials for PATH Intl. centers and instructors. EQUI-KIDS serves an average of 100-130 participants each week and all services are provided by credentialed providers. Our services include therapeutic riding, therapeutic horsemanship, equine-assisted learning, equine-assisted psychotherapy with a licensed mental health provider (mental health services for individuals and groups), Speech Therapy, EQUI-VETS Military Service Program (serving active-duty service members and veterans), EQUI-HEROES (serving first responders), job coaching, school partnership programs, summer inclusion camps, and educational workshops. Participants range in age from 5 years to seniors in their 90s with more than 150 distinct diagnoses recorded. EQUI-KIDS continually improves the methodology and evaluation of its services to develop the most positive, cost-effective, efficient services and organizational structure possible. EQUI-KIDS provides therapeutic interventions to help develop healthier, more productive citizens, creating a positive impact for our community today and in the future. EQUI-KIDS relies upon -250-300 active volunteers who receive rigorous training and who provide 14,000 plus volunteer hours annually. More than 800 plus participants are served during an average fiscal year. The organization is governed by a highly engaged, volunteer board of directors and is staffed by 12 full-time/10 part-time employees, along with a herd of 21 horses and 4 ponies. Each horse is a different size and has a unique personality, which provides us the opportunity to create the optimal match between horse and participant. Philanthropic contributions for EQUI-KIDS comprises 92% of its gross annual operating revenue of $1,386,00.00. EQUI-KIDS has the ability to create sustainable, long-term programs that provide measurable objectives that carry over into the participant’s life at school or at work, at home, and in the community. Now, more than ever, EQUI-KIDS is an invaluable resource for children and adults with special needs and their families as well as our military heroes and first responders.

01/04/2026

We love our horse sponsors! 🌟

Zeus is a fortunate fellow to have Pam Hurley sponsoring part of his care so he can serve our participants. Thank you Pam! 🐴🤎

01/01/2026

💫 Happy New Year to all our friends, partners, participants, and community far and wide! 🐴🔥

We look forward to the healing, learning, and impact coming in 2026!! 🌟

12/31/2025

Today, make a difference with a gift to our Annual Fund! 🐴

Because of you, riders at EQUI-KIDS build confidence, strength, and
independence — one stride at a time.

If you’ve been meaning to give, this is your moment.

💙Every gift matters... help us enter 2026 strong for our riders.
📲Donate before midnight 👉https://go.dojiggy.io/annualgiving

🤩Watch this video to see the results your giving makes possible: https://youtu.be/VLv_JoZknNs?si=c1gew_vZ3cl69lpd

12/30/2025

🕰️ As the clock winds down on 2025, please consider a donation to keep Katy and participants like her coming back to the farm in the new year!

👨🏼‍💻http://Go.dojiggy.io/annualgiving

12/25/2025

All is calm, all is bright 🔔 ❄✨

From our herd to yours, Merry Christmas!🎄🎠

12/23/2025

Titan is wishing for a white Christmas! ⛄️ What’s on your wish list from Santa??🎅🏻 🎁

You can be Santa to a 2026 participant with a gift to our Annual Fund 🥰🌟📲 go.dojiggy.io/annualgiving

12/22/2025

12/21/2025

Celebrating the longest night of the year and looking forward to longer, warmer days in the barn. Happy first day of Winter! ☃️

EQUI-KIDS will be 🎀 𝓬𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭 🎀 from December 24 through January 5, giving our staff and horses a break to recharge.

During this time:
🐴 Our horses enjoy extra downtime, turnout, and quiet barn days
📖 Our team rests, reflects, and prepares for the year ahead
🎋 We model the importance of balance, self-care, and intention.

We will return refreshed, grounded, and ready to continue supporting our riders, veterans, first responders, and families—one stride at a time!

Wishing our community a peaceful holiday season filled with rest and renewal. 🤍❄️🎄

12/20/2025

🥹🥹🥹

12/20/2025

These guys are just the best!! 🎄🐴

Keep the horses neighing with a gift to our Annual Fund before the year ends! 📲 go.dojiggy.io/annualgiving

12/20/2025

The Grinch and Max came to visit us today! 💚❤️💓 Check our stories for Gracie’s Christmas greeting 🥰🎄

Special shout out to Gatsby’s sponsor, Matt Scott! 🎁

Support riders like Gracie with a gift to our Annual Fund before the year ends! 📲 go.dojiggy.io/annualgiving

12/18/2025

Horses don’t use words—and neither does Katy.

Yet together, they share a language all their own.

At 19 years old, Katy’s life changed in an instant when an aneurysm caused a traumatic brain injury. A thriving college student and basketball player, she suddenly faced physical and neurological challenges that reshaped everything she had imagined for her future.

Sixteen years ago, Katy came to EQUI-KIDS for the first time.
She couldn’t sit upright on a horse without support from all sides. But from her very first day in the barn, she showed something powerful: determination. And she kept coming back.

“Her good days are always the days she is here,” her father says.

Today, Katy is 35 years old and has progressed to our Therapeutic Riding program. After years of steady progress, she now rides with the support of just two sidewalkers. She proudly participates in our Annual Horse Show every year—a milestone that reflects perseverance, partnership, and the remarkable impact of equine-assisted therapy.

Katy still does not speak, but the horse understands her.

The steady rhythm of movement helps regulate her nervous system. The warmth and presence of a big, gentle horse offers calm, connection, and trust—without words. Every time Katy returns to her wheelchair after a ride, she is beaming.

These moments don’t happen by accident.

They happen because people choose to support this work.

As we approach the end of the year, we are raising funds to ensure riders like Katy can continue to experience strength, joy, and progress in the barn. Caring for therapy horses, training staff, and providing life-changing services takes a community—and we are so grateful for ours.

If you know someone whose life has been affected by a traumatic brain injury, please consider making a year-end, tax-deductible gift to EQUI-KIDS. Your support helps ensure that when Katy comes back to the barn in the new year, her horse—and her progress—will be waiting.

❤️ Give before December 31 and create more good days at the barn.
🔗 https://go.dojiggy.io/annualgiving

Address

2626 Heritage Park Drive
Virginia Beach, VA
23456

Telephone

+17577217350

Website

http://www.equikids.org/

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