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Aboutus

Here at Agape, we teach riding and horsemanship skills to meet the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive goals of everyone we serve.

What we do

We strive to be a place where our participants and their families can take a deep breath and know they are in a place where they are loved and accepted for who they are. Through partnering with horses we are able to support each participant we serve on their journey towards being their best self, however that may look. You will experience joy and hope in a place that is calm amidst the chaos because of horses.

Our Vision

We believe that lives can experience healing and joy in an environment where unconditional love and the wonderment of a horse connect, creating a haven for unbridled hope.

Our Mission

Agape cultivates personal growth by strengthening the mind, body, and spirit through unique horse-assisted experiences.

Our Beginnings

Agape is a Greek word that means “unconditional love”. Cheryl Miller and her daughter Dawn were called to share unconditional love when they expanded their enjoyment of horses, and love for children, by developing a summer riding program for children with disabilities, using the therapeutic value of horses to transform lives. As a result of parents’ requests and therapists who witnessed the summer success, Cheryl and Dawn founded Agape in 1986, but they continued to dream of a year round program. That dream became a reality following Dawn’s tragic death in 1992. After seeking God’s guidance, a farm just north of Indianapolis in Cicero, Indiana was selected for the start of a therapeutic riding center. In March of 1994, Cheryl established a full-time program, serving individuals and schools throughout central Indiana. Agape remains committed to that original dream of helping people through horses and being a place of hope and healing.

Our History

How it all started
Agape is founded by Cheryl Miller and her daughter, Dawn, and are contracted by Indiana University to provide a summer camp riding experience at Bradford Woods. The dream of a year round facility to help people through horses is born.
Beauty from Ashes
Tragedy strikes as Cheryl’s daughter, Dawn, is killed. Cheryl and her husband Jerry take a leap of faith and purchase 20 acres in Cicero to build the dream Dawn and Cheryl had for a year-round facility.
Our New Facility
A year-round indoor riding facility in Cicero, Indiana opens its doors.
Expansion
An educational wing was added to the arena which includes a classroom, offices, tack room, stalls, and a wide aisle way for instruction.
A Second Location
Agape expands partnership with Bradford Woods in Martinsville, to operate their equine center throughout the year, expanding Agape’s reach in central Indiana.
30 Years
Agape celebrates its 30th Anniversary
A Third Location
Agape partners with the Hancock County Community Foundation and expands to third location in central Indiana located in Greenfield.
Pandemic
Agape ceases operating the equine center at Bradford Woods due to the impact of COVID-19.
Expansion
A covered arena is built at the Greenfield site as Agape remains committed to serving more people in Central Indiana. This year marks 35 years of impacting lives through horses in Central Indiana. Exciting things are on the horizon for Agape’s legacy to continue.
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Agape is a Premier Accredited Center through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). This means that Agape meets the highest industry standards when it comes to safety, qualified staff, and service excellence.

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Industry Recognition

Accreditation is a voluntary process that recognizes PATH Intl. Centers that have met established industry standards.

Operational Excellence

A center that meets the accreditation requirements based on the administrative, facility, program, and applicable special interest standards becomes a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center for a period of five years.

Instructional Excellence & Safety

Additionally, all Agape instructors are PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI); some hold additional certifications and training from PATH and similar organizations. PATH CTRI’s must meet continuing education requirements and be up to date on CPR/AED/First Aid Certification as well.

Our Core Values: The Agape Way

We promise all we serve – horses and humans – to strive for excellence. This is “The Agape Way.”

Trust & Respect

Integrity

Responsibility

Creativity & Flexibility

Acceptance & Understanding

Collaboration

Patience & Kindness

Future-Focused

Unconditional Love

Your Dream Job

Join the Agape Team

The kind of people that all teams need are people who are humble, hungry, and smart.