New Horizon Equine Academy

Animal assisted therapy is widely used in mental institutions, prisons and nursing homes.  Historical records date back to Ancient Greek literature mentioning use of horseback riding for equine therapy.  Horses are the most popular animal used for therapy nowadays because of their ability to give response and feedback immediately to the patient's behavior and actions.  Furthermore, a horse's gait simulates a human walking, which is crucial for neuromuscular stimulation.

Located in rural Quakertown, Pennsylvania, NHEA services the Greater Lehigh Valley and its surrounding areas. Our program pairs clients with a horse, which serves as a catalyst and metaphor to allow clinical issues to surface. The focus of our program centers on the client using creative and functional ways to deal with unfamiliar tasks and develop insights based on their own reactions to the situations.  The horse provides a therapeutic effect by serving as teacher, listener, distracter and friend.

NHEA's goal is to nurture key character traits that we value: self-esteem, responsibility, respect, compassion and relationship.  Our current facility does not have an in-door, which makes it difficult to carry out our mission during inclement weather.  The goal of this corporate campaign is to raise funds to secure a permanent equine facility to house our program.