fbpx Skip to content

therapeutic riding

Give Joy – Get Joy

“For somehow, not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you.” ~ John Greenleaf Whittier As you consider how you and your family might be able to give this year, there is a way you can give that will have a long and lasting impact at Agape. Our horses make all the difference here. They teach our riders about life – how to work together, how to be respectful, how to share, how to trust, how to communicate, how to have boundaries, how to

Read More >

Introducing the Pint-sized Dynamic Duo | Thomas & Jitterbug

His physical therapist noticed it right away. “He has much more hip strength,” she said. Meet Thomas. You might first notice his tiny walker, complete with Hawaiian license plate, but you’ll quickly see his smile. You just can’t help but smile when he smiles, or laugh when he laughs. He is a tiny ray of sunshine and at four years old, one of our youngest riders. He’s also one of our newest riders. His mom, Mary Kate, drives him from Lafayette each week for his lesson, a trip she says she’s glad to make. “I see him using his legs

Read More >

Taking Unbridled Hope On The Road

They were sitting quietly, basking in the sun-filled courtyard, waiting patiently for Prince and Smokey to arrive. As we led the two minis in, the room was suddenly filled with chatter and excitement. Some were hesitant to say hello, while some eagerly pushed their walkers out of the way. Suddenly conversations about horses, family farms, and animals filled the air. We made our way around the courtyard so that everyone had a chance to get close. Some simply wanted to stroke their soft coats, some brushed their wiry manes, while others just observed. The joy was palpable, and the social

Read More >

How far do the lessons learned from the saddle travel?

Everyday Agape instructors and horses zone in on teaching skills that strengthen someone’s life not only when they are in the saddle, but more importantly the skills they need to grow in every area of their life. While the goals vary from person to person depending on the challenges that one is facing – whether it’s communication skills, processing skills, coping with emotions, or even motor skills – the ultimate mission is that each participant that comes to our barn leaves better equipped with what they need to thrive in their world outside of the barn. We often battle the misconception

Read More >

A Call to Remember our Veterans

“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country, has earned them our lasting gratitude.” ~ Jeff Miller Despite the divide we are experiencing in our country this week, despite how you feel about the results of Tuesday’s election, despite your political ideologies, despite party preferences – today we implore you to pause and remember our veterans with reverence, gratitude, and unity. Without the sacrifice of our veterans who have served, and those who serve today, we would not have the freedom to vote and choose our elected officials. Let us unite in gratitude, unite in reverence, and unite

Read More >

Home of the Brave

The Webster Dictionary gives the simple definition, “feeling or showing no fear: not afraid” to the word Brave. I recently heard the quote, “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” It stuck with me so I later looked it up and found out it was by a local Indiana man, Elmer Davis. He was a reporter who made himself famous for his work during WWII. He saw first hand what we so beautifully picture as “brave”. Bravery is something that most Americans will quickly associate with the

Read More >

The Power in Partnership: Bean and Mary Alice

Fear is a feeling that’s familiar to all of us. Sometimes, it arrives alone at night to wake us from a serene sleep. Once in awhile, the feeling of fear grows so tall it feels as if it’s become its own being. Sometimes it’s a feeling of reaction; an emotion that sets in after your doctor utters the word: “cancer”. Mary Alice Peoples knows a few things about fear. She also knows the strength it takes to battle it. Mary Alice understands the moment of looking fear in its eyes, and fighting it until it falls prey to the feeling

Read More >

#Agape30 is here

Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources is returning to its roots to celebrate the nonprofit organization’s 30th anniversary Saturday, May 7 at Bradford Woods. Agape’s 15 horses and seven miniature horses help support our mission to cultivate personal growth in our riders and students through unique horse-facilitated activities. Each year, Agape, a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center, serves nearly 2000 individuals and 42 different diagnoses at its two locations: Bradford Woods and Cicero. Before Agape was born 30 years ago, there was one man, a mother and a daughter who saw exactly what therapeutic riding can do. The idea of Agape was

Read More >

Stories of our amazing horses | Butterbean

      “Recently Butterbean gave a ride to an individual who had suffered a spinal cord injury, causing her to be a quadriplegic.  Having grown up with horses, she did everything from jumping to reining and contesting.  She had not been on a horse since her injury and wasn’t sure if it was even possible to ride again.  She was a little nervous during mounting because she could not support her weight, but she was able to sit up with the help of two side walkers and balance using the handle of the surcingle. As soon as we got into

Read More >

Volunteer Spotlight- Bern & Kathy

Each night of the week there are familiar casts of characters hurrying around the barn and each Thursday, you’ll find Bern and Kathy Lytle in the barn.  These two can be found doing anything and everything that needs to be done.  From grooming horses, to sweeping the barn and cleaning out stalls, to side walking with riders or leading horses during class.  If it needs to be done, Bern and Kathy will tackle the job head-on.  Their dedication to Agape programs is abundant. The Lytles moved here in 2013.  Retirement and wanting to be closer to their family brought Bern and Kathy

Read More >

How to trust when you don’t understand

Today is actually a special day to me as I have had the incredible privilege of leading Agape for 3 years now. Through the ups and the downs, I am deeply passionate about what we do and overwhelmed with gratitude for this wonderful community that loves fiercely and hopes abundantly. I realize that it this post may not be proper etiquette for an Executive Director to write; however, as I am reflecting on the past 3 years, and 2015 so far, I believe that etiquette can take a quiet back seat for a brief moment. So let me just tell

Read More >