Our MISSION
Equest's mission is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs by partnering with horses to bring hope and healing through equine assisted activities and therapies.
Equest is a 501 (c) (3) public charity, IRS Tax ID 75-1823701. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Our organization is not a United Way Agency. We are dependent upon charitable gifts and grants to support our programs.
Equest values diversity, equity, and inclusivity and is committed to having a diverse board and staff that reflect the communities that Equest serves.
affiliations
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1981, Equest was the first therapeutic horsemanship center in Texas. Through hard work and dedication, and by striving to provide high quality programs in a results-oriented culture, it quickly became an industry leader. Through the years, Equest has served thousands of children and adults with diverse needs, helping them achieve milestones that were sometimes deemed not achievable, by focusing on the human-horse connection.
Equest provides equine facilitated activities, therapies, and counseling to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping, social, and learning disabilities and veterans with adjustment challenges. The services provided include physical and occupational therapy, equine facilitated counseling, therapeutic carriage driving, therapeutic horsemanship, and competition.
Equest is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center and one of the largest in the country. Growing from serving five clients with two horses, one instructor and 10 volunteers, they currently operate with 30 therapy horses, 10 instructors, three therapists (PT/OT), three counselors, and more than 696 volunteers annually. Most importantly, lives are changed for more than 2,000 clients annually.
Equest had been in Wylie, Texas since 1988, but in 2015 began operations at a second location in Southern Dallas at the Texas Horse Park, which is owned by the City of Dallas. In 2017, Equest consolidated to THP where they occupy a facility with 38 stalls, two covered arenas, one outdoor arena, and 6,000-square feet of administration and therapy space.
Equest offers an engaging volunteer program that provides 40,000 hours of direct program service opportunities each year. Equest was named “2015 Non-Profit of the Year” by CNM Connect.
Equest's Hooves for Heroes, one of the fastest-growing services at Equest, empowers veterans, first-responders, and military families to take charge of their civilian transition, and assume new roles within the community through equine activities and therapies.