Who We Are
Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and PATH INTL. Center Member that provides equine-assisted services and beginner riding lessons. We are driven by a single goal: to do our part in helping enhance the lives of all including those with disabilities, special needs, PTSD, and trauma through equine-assisted services, adaptive riding and horsemanship. We strive to help build gratifying genuine relationships and make a positive impact with all our pursuits through equines.
FEIN #84-2358846
Candid Guidestar Gold Seal of Transparency. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/84-2358846
What are Equine-Assisted Services?
Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) allow people with physical, cognitive, behavioral or emotional challenges to find strength, healing, and independence through the power and connection with the horse (Equus Foundation).
EAS, Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship benefit participants in multiple ways; balance, posture, coordination, muscle tightness, strength of core muscles necessary for walking, cognition, motor skills, vestibular, circulatory, and nervous system functions, sensory processing, communication/social skills, helps build confidence and SO MUCH MORE!
Our Equine-Assisted Services include adaptive riding and horsemanship, equine-assisted learning, and
equine-assisted occupational/physical therapy, hippotherapy level 1. Our equine assisted psychotherapy sessions are scheduled with one of our dedicated mental health professionals.
Our Team
Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. emerged out of a pursuit to inspire, support and enhance the lives of all in the community. Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of equine professionals and volunteers are the backbone of Asheville Equine Therapy Inc.. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to evolve and develop.
Not only is our staff licensed in their professional fields, they are also PATH INTL. and/or EAGALA Certified and are proud to uphold the safety standards of the Equine-Assisted Services Industry.
PATH INTL.- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
EAGALA- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association
Meg Hill
Executive Director/CTRI/ESMHL/CPC
Meg Hill is the founder and Executive Director of Asheville Equine Therapy. She is both a PATH INTL. CTRI and ESMHL (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning). Meg graduated from St. Edward's University, Austin, TX with her Bachelor's degree in Art and Education and has ridden for 40 years. She rides english, western and sidesaddle. She recognized the therapeutic power of horses at a young age through her own life experiences. Living in North Carolina for the past two decades, Meg saw a need for equine-assisted services in her local community, creating Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. 501(c)(3).
Being an IAPRC Certified Professional Life Coach with a focus on Health, Wellness, Stress Management and Team Building gives Meg the ability to elevate the participants' experience.
Valerie Scott
M.S. OTR/L/Equine-Assisted Learning Instructor
Valerie’s career as an occupational therapist has spanned a variety of settings with diverse populations, from spinal cord injury rehab to school-based, sensory clinic, home health, and teletherapy environments with developmental delayed children. Additionally, she has extensive experience working in adult and adolescent inpatient psychiatric facilities. Valerie is a skillful clinician with the ability to assess and support sensory, motor, and social/emotional needs.
Having ridden since she was a child, Valerie learned horsemanship and riding skills on the family ranch. Valerie became the first occupational therapist to be certified as a mental health practitioner with EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning). She is Hippotherapy Level 1 certified.
Valerie brings her strong clinical knowledge as an occupational therapist, her experience with the healing abilities of horses, and compassionate client-center care to all her therapeutic work. Valerie is also a dancer, movement instructor, and an avid outdoors woman.
Michelle Barshaw
Natural Horsemanship Specialist/Instructor
Michelle Barshaw is a competitive Hunter/Jumper rider who has ridden for 40+ years and became a Level 4 Parelli Instructor. In the past decade she has gone on to develop her own successful program; Calm, Connected, and Confident Horsemanship from life long experiences and exceptional horsemanship. Michelle's services are available both on and off the farm. She will come to you and your equines or you may partner and learn with our equines.
NOT ALL Asheville Equine Therapy instructors are licensed medical professionals in the mental health field.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are scheduled with one of our dedicated mental health professionals.
About Our Equines
"Horses carry the wisdom of healing in their hearts and offer it to any human who possess the humility to listen."
-Wind Horse Sanctuary
DID YOU KNOW?
The average cost of care for 1 horse in the state of North Carolina is $8,832 a year, yep you read that right!!
https://horserookie.com/average-horse-cost-by-state/
Sponsor an equine partner today and receive pictures and updates monthly of your chosen equine!
Our Programs and Services
AET provides an inclusive environment, enabling individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, engaged, motivated, and valued. Our programs are for ALL and include everyone, regardless of disability, race, ethnicity, religion, gender or age.
Beginner Equine Knowledge and Horsemanship Course
A 6 week, hands-on course meeting for 2 hours once a week. By the end of the course students will demonstrate beginner level equine knowledge and horsemanship through the assistance of our equines, science, math, history and reading. Contact us for details, pricing, dates and times.
Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy and Hippotherapy Sessions
Private 60 minute sessions helping participants to improve balance, muscle control, range of motion, coordination/motor skills, rrespiration/circulation, sensory integration and so much more! Sessions conducted by a licensed occupational therapist and equine specialist in mental health and learning. Contact us for details, pricing, dates and times.
Asheville Veterans/First Responders Corral
Our veterans and first responders are a unique and strong community that keep us safe as a nation by risking their lives daily while serving our country and community. The Asheville Veterans/First Responders Corral Program is proud to give back what we can to those that have served our country/community and their families through equine-assisted services. Our 8-week program facilitates the Man O'War Project Protocol for veterans and first responders services. All sessions are conducted by a mental health professional and equine specialist in mental health and learning to ensure the quality and effectiveness of our program.
Equine-Assisted Life Coaching and Team Building Services and Workshops
Individual and Group Equine-Assisted Life Coaching and Team Building Services; full and/or half day Workshops for individuals and groups focusing on health, wellbeing, stress management and team building. Incorporating our Yurt, serene creek setting, and of course our equine partners, truly enhances one's experience. The path towards self discovery, recognizing patterns, self reflection, setting goals and creating an action plan, has never felt so effortless! Contact us for pricing, dates and times.
NOT ALL Asheville Equine Therapy instructors are licensed medical professionals in the mental health field.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are scheduled with one of our dedicated mental health professionals.
Asheville Equine Therapy is proud to be a NCSEAA Provider. Through the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, ESA (Education Saving Account) and NC Disabilities Grant programs, qualified participants' costs are covered.
You Can Help Make a Difference
Sponsorship
Sponsor a participant/horse
By sponsoring a participant you make it possible for someone to enjoy the healing powers of horses that would not be able to do so otherwise. Sponsoring an equine helps contribute to the care, feed, hay, farrier and veterinary needs of our equine partners. Every penny helps, our participants and equine partners THANK YOU!!
Make a Donation
Make A True Change
Not only do we need the generosity and involvement of people like you, we appreciate every contribution going towards making Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. an even better EAS program and non-profit organization than it already is. Our staff, participants and equine partners THANK YOU!!
Scholarships
As a grassroots, homegrown small nonprofit Asheville Equine Therapy would like to thank Horses For Mental Health and ARCH (Arenas For Change) for including us in their national fundraising campaign. We want to thank each and every one of you that donated making it possible for us to provide a handful of scholarships for the 2023 year.
WE THANK YOU!!
For more information on available scholarships and to apply, click the link below to send an email.
Contact
Asheville Equine
Therapy Inc. Equine-Assisted Services,
Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship
Get in touch with Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.
Keenan Hill Farm
P.O. Box 1035
Leicester, NC 28748
Visitations made by appointment only
(828) 630-7551