First, I knew Virginia McCarthy before she ever did Barn Yard. She was a teacher and my granddaughter took lessons from her. I had a stroke in Dec of 2015 and after I got out of rehab and therapy I still was not back to "ME". I then learned Virginia had a small place and was involved in some type of program but really didn't know much about it, but I got her address and went to just see her and the horses!! I really missed horses since my stroke. I had to sell mine and I was sorta down. When I got there I met Beth and the two of them explained that this was a place for therapy for special needs children and they used horses. I just loved how it sounded. I started coming around to help out what little I could and to watch those kids and those horses!!! It was awesome. As I watched what this was doing for these kids I was just amazed. One day I said to Beth "Do any adults ever do any therapy on horses?" I told her about my stroke (it had completely shorted out my muscles on my right side and even though I had recovered a lot, I still needed help) She talked to Virginia and then they both said I could be an adult they help. And so my Physical Therapy on Wrangler (the best horse ever) started. All I can say is that the therapy and help I received from Beth and her volunteers SAVED MY LIFE. By the time my therapy was over I was ready to begin lessons to start being able to ride again. There are no words to describe how awesome that was for me!!!!!! I started riding when I was six years old and horses are just, I believe, the best animals for building confidence in yourself. I will never be able to thank Barn Yard Equine (and Beth, Virginia and all the volunteers involved in my therapy) for what they did for me. Thank God I went to visit her that day!!! Changed my life forever!!!!!
In August of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic year, I was desperate to find an outdoor activity that would help my autistic son get out of the house. We had been instructed to quarantine and not engage in social activities to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus. By this time we had been dealing with the effects of isolation for almost a year and my son was greatly affected by this change. He is not normally social, however, the change in daily routine; homeschooling, missed vacations, and the daily news of more and more cases took a toll on his mental health. He started becoming very anxious and losing weight. I really needed to give him an outlet that did not involve a computer, video game, or phone. One day I had a stroke of genius and began a search in a local volunteer site and found Barn Yard Equine.
Barn Yard Equine is a non-profit organization that partners with Barn Yard Connections, a cooperative group of horse owners and therapists through Arizona Advanced Therapy. The 4 acres of land that they share and work on is in a residential area of Gilbert, Arizona. Property, service, and responsibility are carried by the amazing founder, Virginia McCarthy, and her board members.
Our relationship with Barn Yard began through volunteer efforts. We literally contacted them to offer our poo shoveling services and I all but begged for the opportunity. As I mentioned, I was looking for an activity that would allow my son to be in the community and get some physical exercise in the process, and we received so much more. We found out that Barn Yard offered speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy with the most amazing four-legged facilitators. Barn Yard’s mission is not only to offer therapeutic services but to grow its programs and offer a way that all community members can "experience horses". Currently, their bread and butter is the therapy, however, they also offer riding lessons, professional enrichment courses for therapists, are involved with the Special Olympics, and offer community events to build awareness and fundraising. My son and I hit the jackpot with this amazing organization. We not only found the organic outlet that he needed, but we also found hippotherapy and a group of individuals that love what they do and want to create a better, more inclusive world.
All clients are safely introduced and instructed how to behave with the horses and there is always a horse handler present. Therapy sessions are constructed with the appropriate therapist, lesson activities, and human support to ensure that both the horse and client are safe and successful. Visitors with small children are advised of the safe waiting areas and are encouraged to keep an eye on the little ones. All volunteers receive instructions and support to ensure they can do the work safely. During events, the staff facilitates with signs and friendly direction.
My son regained his mental health, weight, and confidence by being in this wholesome, welcoming environment and I would love to see Barn Yard grow and continue to share its services and spirit of community. Please visit their site, their organization, and share.