Our Story & Why the Horse

 

A Bit of History:

On Eagles’ Wings accepted its first participants in September 2007 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. What started from humble beginnings as a backyard program consisting of two horses and five participants, On Eagles’ Wings expanded to a new facility in 2016 to provide five distinct programs that serve the North Central West Virginia area.

All professionals involved in our programs have been trained and certified through PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) and the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA). Our mission is to provide a safe environment for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to enrich and enhance their lives through equine assisted activities and therapies.

 

Why The Horse?

The three-dimensional movement of the horse mimics the human walk. The corrective stimulation and exercise from this movement profoundly affects the physical, cognitive, sensory and vestibular systems, which in turn can create abilities in a person with a disability to accomplish things previously not thought possible.

The horse is also a tremendous motivator. Horses and humans together often create a natural bonding relationship. Participants have been known to say their first words, or have taken their first steps because of the powerful influence of the horse. Plus, it is just plain fun!

How we help…..

Our participants include children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional, and social disabilities and challenges. Disabilities Served: ADD or other Hyperactivity Disorder, Amputee, At Risk Youth, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay or Disability, Down Syndrome, Genetic Conditions/Disorders, Head Trauma/Brain Injury, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Learning Disability, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Orthopedic, Paralysis, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Speech Impairment, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury, & Stroke.