KNOX, Pa. (EYT) — Heavenly Gaits Therapeutic Riding Center in Knox is focused on offering programs to improve the quality of life for people challenged by physical, cognitive, emotional, or social constraints.

Monique Nellis, Executive Director of Heavenly Gaits, is a former teacher who found herself stuck in a cycle of substitute teaching positions, uncertain of what to do with her future.

Nellis said the idea for a therapeutic riding center came to her while she was out running one day.

“I remembered riding at a friend’s house after school during a rough point in my life,” Nellis said.

She noted that riding horses with her friend had been a highlight of her youth, and it helped her through a lot of rough times. At the same time, she began to think of some of the children in her neighborhood with unique abilities and issues and how riding could help them. She realized then that the 30-acre parcel of farmland her family inherited from her mother-in-law could be put to a good use.

They didn’t have horses, a barn, or any of the things she would need to start a therapeutic riding program. Even so, her mind was set, and she began research on certifications and what she would need to do to build a program from the ground up. She spoke to a local attorney, went to other area facilities, and received help from the Small Business Development Center on a business plan.

“There were just doors opening all over the place.”

The facility opened in 2014 with just three horses and a run in shed. At that time, they took on three riders and trailered the horses back and forth to an indoor riding arena they leased in Pine City.

From that small beginning, Heavenly Gaits has blossomed over the last two years. They now have eleven horses, additional facilities, and multiple programs available. They are also currently working on the construction of their own outdoor riding arena.

“This year was a tough year; the weather has been very discouraging.”

“We’re trying to get our outdoor arena constructed. We needed more dirt fill because when it rains, we have a lot of mud right now and have to cancel for safety reasons. We need to elevate that area. We also have a couple drains to put in for our indoor arena. Our long-term goal is to be a year-round facility.”

According to Nellis, support from local businesses and the local community have played a big part in getting where they are.

“We’ve had a lot of community support and sponsors helping with our outdoor arena.”

“Riders feel loved by the community when they see the sponsorship signs on the fence and we really appreciate the backing. We’ll probably have a big celebration the day we put it all up.”

Their programs include Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy; Equine Assisted Psychotherapy; the Soldiers and Spurs Program for veterans; the Command Calvary Program for families of active duty military members; a vocation instructional program through the Intermediate Unit; as well as programs for people completing community service.

“Our veteran’s program started last season. It was originally just for veterans, but now we have the Command Calvary for active duty families with children who are struggling with missing a parent. We teach the children, then they can help teach their parent when they return. The veterans actually run the program with help from our equine specialist.”

“The most important thing to me is that we’re here to meet the needs of the community.”

“We want to help and be here for our local at-risk youth, too. There’s so many issues now with bullying, and they’re not always open to therapy, so we provide a safe judgment-free place where they can feel they have a purpose.”

Heavenly Gaits also hosts field trips and birthday parties and sends representatives to participate in Keystone SMILES Agricultural Safety Day and riders to participate in several parades around the local area.

“Having our riders in parades is very stressful, but they really look forward to it, and the parents do too. It gives them a feeling of normalcy.”

This year has seen several new programs added to the roster at Heavenly Gaits, as well.

Heavenly Gaits will soon be playing host to a new 4H chapter. Meredith Reinhart, a health and physical education teacher at North Clarion Junior-Senior High School, will be heading up the new 4H program with the assistance of the local 4H extension office.

According to Reinhart, the program will have a strong focus on horses and riding. It will be open to anyone with an interest. Interested participants, as well as parents interested in leadership roles, are invited to attend a meeting at Heavenly Gaits on Thursday, September 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Silver Saddles is another new program specially designed to benefit people 55 and over who have age-related disabilities.

“It is a great time for those individuals to get together and bond with large animals. The grooming is good for the upper body, and riding is good for the lower body. There’s a lot of fellowship between riders, too,” Nellis noted.

The program began on September 5 and will continue through October 25. Sessions start at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., each running for one hour. The cost is $25.00 per session.

According to Nellis, possible plans for future programs include an adaptive sports program for veterans with para riding for those with paralysis.

Nellis also said she would like to see about partnering with the Clarion Cancer Center for a future program for those fighting cancer.

“A lot of people are afraid of large animals because they don’t have the background knowledge of how to act around them. Learning to work with horses can really help with overcoming fears and building confidence, too.”

For more details about Heavenly Gait’s programs, camps, and volunteer opportunities, check out their website at heavenlygaitstrc.weebly.com.