Wisconsin Equine Therapy Center Turning Disabilities Into Abilities

Polk County Wisconsin's first-ever Equine Assisted Therapy Center didn't just come together by chance. Two of the three founders had been contemplating the idea for many years. For one, it was a childhood dream, and for another, her own experience using horses to cope with disorders led them to help others turn disabilities into abilities. 

''Horses helped me through the years,'' said Quarter Moon Acres Equine Therapy Centerco-founder Patti Andersen. ''I have ADD myself. I have massive depression, and the horses themselves have helped me through that.'' 

Fellow co-founder Kristi Hart and a childhood friend had worked out plans for a future equine therapy center as pre-teens. That friend passed away far too early, but Kristi never forgot their plan to help others through horses. 

In 2014, Patti, who had served as a second mother for Kristi through her teenage years, approached Kristi about opening an equine therapy center on Patti's farm in rural Amery, Wisconsin. Kristi jumped on the opportunity, moved back to the area, and the duo quickly asked Karole Lee, a boarder at Patti's farm, to join in the venture. 

With all three still working full-time jobs, they began offering therapy sessions one day per week in the Spring of 2015 with a crew made entirely of volunteers. 

''Our clients range from 6 to 86 and everywhere in between,'' Patti said. ''Some clients with dementia are the 86 group. And the young ones - many times it's not an anxiety disorder that they have, it could be just social skills - even at that age - or no core strength, which equine therapy helps with that too.'' 

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