My Nonprofit Reviews

The Spirit Open Equestrian program adds immeasurable value to our community and we are so fortunate to have been able to benefit from the opportunities to both receive the services provided by this program as well as to give back through volunteering there as well. Part of the beauty of the program is the way giving and receiving are all interwoven throughout the program and all are beneficiaries of the remarkable good that this program does for mind, body, and spirit on an individual as well as on a community level. Our young adolescent son, who was struggling with multiple physical challenges and related social/emotional struggles, started out as a client and over the years has participated in every aspect of the program , from Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, to Therapeutic Riding, and the Equine Assisted Learning Program. The experiences were life-changing for him, as he transitioned from hardly being able to get up off the couch into a young man who walked tall, with a sense of purpose, and felt a remarkable sense of calm, confidence, and purpose though his work at the barn amongst the Spirit Herd and the supportive "family" created by the director, Davorka Suvak. No longer in need of services, today he is a volunteer who feels confident and self-assured, and also knows that he always has a home at Spirit. Spirit is a rare gem in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this fast-paced area that allows people of all ages and abilities to slow down, enjoy nature, gain skills and a sense of well-being, whether on the giving or the receiving end of the activities offered amongst the beautiful Spirit Herd. I can't say enough good things about this organization.