Hope Equestrian Center is a therapeutic horseback riding program here in the Rogue Valley that serves individuals with special needs and disabilities, at risk youth and wounded veterans.

HOPE Equestrian Center was founded in 1988 out in Wimer.

A group of individuals who had children that they thought could benefit from therapeutic horseback riding.

Horses can help people in many ways for kids or adults with physical disabilities.

A horse moves in a gait most similar to that of a human.

So just walking around on the back of a horse can work on muscles that a lot of other things can't.

I remember when I first started with Hope, we had a little girl that came out and she went from not even being able to sit up on her own at home on the floor to sitting up riding her horse within about a 16 week period.

For people who need the emotional connection, another living being that they can love and loves them in return, they can communicate with and as long as they communicate nicely, they get that back.

So they offer an emotional support that a lot of people aren't getting elsewhere.

Hope helps me open up more, like, not be so closed off.

I like how they bring me in a better mood.

If I'm feeling down, they make me feel happier.

It's just an amazing place.

I really enjoy everyone here and the animals.

She loves it.

She would be out here every day if she could be out here every day.

It's been a really good opportunity for her.

She's met other people through this and that's been really good for her too.

It's just a really good program.

We're lucky to have found it.

I think that the clients we serve are extremely special.

I have a sister who has special needs, so they all have a big place in my heart.

I think that we are offering them something that is life changing, and I don't know of a better group of people to offer that to.