Freedom Riders: A "Equine Services for Heroes" Program
The "Freedom Riders", an Equine Services for Heroes program, is committed to enhancing the lives of our military men and women by providing services to active, separated, and retired service members. Particpants can take advantage of any of any of the Horses Help programs: Hippotherapy, Adaptive Riding, Equine Facilitated Learning, and Equine Facilitated Mental Health.Program sessions are offered at Horses Help to provide a friendly venue in which to relax, exercise, and connect with horses and others who have served.
How to Enroll
Questions specific to this program please e-mail:
Saebra Pipoly: Saebra.P@horseshelp.org
- Complete the Freedom Rider Application Forms
- Contact Horses Help to see if a Physicans Release is necessary before your first Freedom Riders session.
- Mail, Scan/Email, Fax, or drop off your Application:
- Physical Address: 2601 East Rose Garden Lane Phoenix, AZ 85050
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 71005 Phoenix, AZ 85050
- Fax: 602-765-7031
- Once Horses Help recieves and reviews your completed Application we will contact you to set up an Intake.
- Intakes will enable you to tour our center as well as give us a chance to meet you in person, discover how Horses Help can best serve you, and to schedule a session time that best fits your schedule.
Cost: As our way of saying 'Thank You, all Freedom Riders sessions are at no cost to the participant.
Full scholarships enable National Guard, Reserve, Active Duty, Retired, and Veterans Honorably Discharged to join small groups of fellow soldiers in horsemanship and horseback riding classes. assisted by fellow veterans, and civilians with a special connection to service members and veterans.
All applications are reviewed for possible participation. Once an application is received, a tour of the facility is scheduled for you. If class space is available, an intake assessment is scheduled.
Physicians Release:All Freedom Riders particpating in Hippotherapy or Adaptive Riding must have a physician's statement indicating there are no contraindications for participating in an equine program.
Transportation: Transportation assistance is arranged through Phoenix area veterans service organizations. Available upon request.
Community Members
Active Duty or Veterans Benefit Counselors or Healthcare Providers who would like more information are warmly invited to contact Horses Help for an information packet, to schedule a tour or to arrange for one of our coordinators to attend an event.
How to Volunteer
We welcome service members and those familar with the miltary life to volunteer with the Freedom Rider Program. We are very selective with volunteers for this program as we try to establish a 'band of brothers' team of support.
Visit our Volunteer Page to fill out a Volunteer Application or Contact our Volunteer Coordinator Leah Smith at leah.s@horseshelp.org.
How to Donate
The Freedom Riders Program relies on donations from our community to enable Horses Help to provide full scholarships to participants.
Would you like to donate to the Freedom Rider Program? Please contact our Executive Director, Gregg Goodman at gregg.g@horseshelp.org.
Our own Ted Newman, cowboy poet, songwriter, performer, and Freedom Riders Program volunteer, from Gilbert has a new DVD/album cut on You Tube honoring our heroes, "Those Who Served So Well". Invitation to listen and view here. Ted has performed for our clients and friends from US Veterans Initiative, and Arizona Heroes to Hometowns.
Special Thanks to USAA, and the Nappi Foundation for this years Funding Commitment!