BRIGHT STRIDES, INC.
The Future is Bright
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Equine therapy is a form of experiential therapy grounded in the belief that therapy participants can benefit from interventions in addition to talk therapy that address the relationship between mind, body and spirit. Although equine therapists often work with clients with extremely complex social, psychological and developmental disabilities, current programs fail to leverage the availability of a wide range of complementary therapies, which, together, provide participants with an integrative approach to mental health and wellness.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Integrative Equine Assisted Learning
The basic structure of our integrative equine assisted wellness program is a 3 hour session divided between an art project that changes weekly and horse time. Horse time includes feeding, grooming and bonding with our horses and donkey as well as riding lessons under the instruction of a PATH International instructor certified in equine facilitated mental health and learning (EFMHL) with the help of specially trained volunteers.
Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP)
A trained psychotherapist works on our premises with a PATH Certified Instructor, using the bond between horse and human along with evidenced based treatment modalities to enhance wellness, treat underlying psychiatric conditions and develop coping skills.
Where we work
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Bright Strides aims to pioneer a new sector of integrative mental health and wellness interventions, grounded in the bond between horses and humans as a therapeutic tool, for those with special needs and anyone else struggling to manage symptoms with talk therapy alone. We aim to provide participants with a holistic approach that takes advantage of a wide range of complementary therapies, as well as evidence-based psychotherapeutic modalities, to treat underlying psychiatric conditions, teach coping skills and enhance well-being.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Working with a PATH certified instructor, clients participate in a range of horse related activities, both on the ground and on horseback, as well as an art session to encourage emotional processing and non-verbal expression of emotions. Clients have the option of working with a PATH instructor alone through our Integrative Equine Assisted Learning program, or with both a PATH instructor and a licensed psychotherapist through our Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP), as well as a range of complementary therapies including art, meditation and yoga. Every session is tailored to each participant's emotional goals and needs.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our organization is run by a PATH International Certified Instructor in Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Learning, as well as a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and we work closely with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Our 5-acre farm has 6 horses, a donkey, a riding ring, an art barn and a meditation room.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have created a program that successfully integrates equine therapy with complementary therapies for several groups of special needs participants. We have developed a relationship with a licensed psychotherapist in order to offer clients a truly integrative approach. Our future goals are to broaden our reach to include other populations, including those suffering from trauma such as veterans and victims of abuse.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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BRIGHT STRIDES, INC.
Board of directorsas of 08/20/2019