Southern Tier Alternative Therapies Inc. (STAT)

Southern Tier Alternative Therapies, Inc. (STAT®)

Since 2007, STAT® has been helping vulnerable children, adults, Veterans, and families heal, grow, and thrive through innovative equine-assisted services and trauma-informed programming. 

What began as a small therapeutic riding and hippotherapy program has grown into a regional center serving more than 11,000 individuals across Western Pennsylvania.

STAT® provides Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL), Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Hippotherapy, Adaptive Riding, Veteran wellness programs, youth violence prevention initiatives, and specialized services for individuals with disabilities, trauma histories, autism, mental health challenges, and complex medical needs.

In 2025, STAT® opened its new 18,000 SF Inclusive Center, featuring a fully accessible indoor arena, therapy and training spaces, adaptive equipment, and year-round programming capacity. This expansion allows us to reach more individuals than ever before while removing barriers to participation for those with physical, cognitive, emotional, and financial challenges.

Our trauma-informed approach recognizes the profound impact of adversity and creates safe, supportive opportunities for healing and growth. Through partnerships with county agencies, schools, juvenile justice, Veterans organizations, recovery centers, nursing homes, healthcare providers, and community agencies, STAT® delivers life-changing services where they are needed most.

Today, STAT® serves children and adults with disabilities, Veterans and first responders, foster and kinship families, caregivers, older adults, trauma survivors, and justice-involved youth. More than a place to ride horses, STAT® is a place where confidence is rebuilt, independence is strengthened, hope is restored, and lives are transformed.

Testimonials

"STAT changed my life. The horses helped me look within and begin to heal from trauma." — Veteran Participant

"Our daughter, once unable to sit or stand independently, can now take steps with confidence thanks to her therapy sessions at STAT." — Parent

"At 2½ years old, our son was nonverbal. After beginning services at STAT, we witnessed communication breakthroughs we never thought possible." — Parent

"As a combat Veteran and chaplain, I have seen STAT reach individuals that traditional approaches could not. The impact is profound and, in some cases, lifesaving." — Col. Robert Jenkin, U.S. Army (Ret.)

"STAT is the one place our daughter feels completely accepted. It has become her safe place and our family's source of hope." — Parent