About One Heart

One Heart Equestrian Therapy is a non-profit equestrian program serving people with disabilities.  One Heart offers therapy to individuals demonstrating physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional limitations and special needs.  Our activities are equine and other domestic animal-centered therapies and education offered at a minimal, reasonable cost.  The therapy consists of general and specific animal-centered task involving grooming, tacking, husbandry, horsemanship, motion therapy, and/or riding as determined, designed, and implemented by a team that is trained and qualified in one or more of the following disciplines: horsemanship curriculum, therapeutic riding, physical, psychological, and/or occupational therapy, and special education.

Therapeutic effects of animal-centered tasks are manifested in increased movement and strengthening of limbs, improved flexibility, promotion of balance, proprioception, language development, empathy, breathing control, following direction, and other areas.

One Heart was incorporated as a non-profit organization in September, 2001.  A steering committee set a goal of having riders up in June, 2002.  The goal was met and classes began on June 4, 2002.  We are a Center Member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (www.naraha.org).

One Heart conducts therapy classes at Stagecoach Stables, 1568 Stagecoach Road, Ames, Iowa.   One Heart is available to present information about therapeutic riding to your group or organization.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we sincerely appreciate the contributions of all the supporters of our program; from 1000's of volunteer hours to in-kind and cash donations.  If you would like to make a significant impact on the life quality of a person with disabilities, we welcome you to follow the example of the individuals, businesses, and civic organizations you read about on our website and in our newsletter.